In January our church held its annual congregational fast. For 21 days we prayed together, fasted together and meditated on 1 John . Here are my thoughts from those times of devotion in 1 John.
SCRIPTURE:
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
1 JOHN 1:8-10
MEDITATIONAL THOUGHT:
Denying your sin only deceives yourself; honesty is the path to spiritual health.
MY THOUGHTS:
I have always wondered why at certain moments I try to hide my sin from God. I mean, He already knows everything anyway so what is the point in trying to keep something from Him. Maybe it is not so much God I am trying to hide from in refusing to confess my sins, but it is me trying to hide from myself because my own psyche is so wounded I cannot face my own truth. I come to it then that I need not only forgiveness but inner healing.
I think it is also I have not totally resolved the doubt that God will never leave me nor forsake me, the sense that a real rejection could be right around the corner.
Here’s the thing I have learned. This battle is not a one and done type of battle. I am not today the same insecure man I was 45 years ago when I came to Christ. I don’t hide from God like I did when I first became a Christian. I am more secure in His promises now. That said I find there is still work to do. So I press on toward the mark of the high calling in Christ.
Lillie-Put 