03/16/2017
Do we know the sins we commit? Are there things we do, or thoughts we have, that are sinful without our recognition? This morning I am considering my life and the possibility that there are indeed sins in it that I am yet to realize. To remove sin requires that we face it, and then, as Jesus said, "go, and sin no more."
“When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
John 8:10-11 KJV
In this story of the woman who was about to be stoned for having committed adultery, we find comfort when Jesus says to her accusers...
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
John 8:7 KJV
But we often read right by His telling her to "go, and sin no more." We love the forgiveness on the one hand, but recoil from the accountability on the other. We deal with sin in our lives just like our reaction to this scripture. We want to be forgiven, but on the subject of ownership? Not so much.
In order to master our sins and walk a righteous life we must face them head on. We have to be able to see them, deal with them, be forgiven them, and then "go, and sin no more." So how do we do this with the unrealized sins in our lives?
Each morning in my predawn prayers I say these words "Father, forgive me for my sins; those I have committed knowingly, unknowingly, and by absentia." I am dealing with Jesus regarding those I have committed knowingly and in absentia, but what of those unknown sins? How can I change what I don't know? How can I "go, and sin no more?"
My prayers now include a scary statement. It is scary because I don't know where it will take me. I know those sins I am cognizant of, and I know when I have sinned by not acting when I should have, but the other variety could be immense and just below the surface of my consciousness... yet I must face them. So, I gather my courage and pray... "Lord, open my eyes to those sins I commit without knowing."
Unknown things becoming known can be traumatic... the attack on Pearl Harbor, a spouse who has been having an affair on you, the cancer that has been hiding in your body, the pastor that has let his congregation down. All of these things can be just beyond our sight and yet our lives carry on in bliss and unawares. What sins lurk in the shadows at the periphery of our faith?
Do I want to know? If I ask to see them they might cut me to the quick, and dealing with them change my life forever. The comfort I am feeling now might prove to be false, and suddenly my basket of fruit has been turned over. My life becomes a mess as I work through my sins with God on my way to forgiveness and the ability to "go, and sin no more."
Ignorance is no excuse, being Pollyanna in the face of sin can lead us to the place where Jesus will judge us with these words...
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Matthew 7:22-23 KJV
Lest we face this terrible judgement we need to ask the scary questions, the hard questions. We need to ask God to reveal to us the sins we commit without knowing. Is this uncomfortable? Absolutely; but it is also necessary. Unknown sins are like moles in a fine lawn... you can't see them, but they leave evidence of where they have been, and eventually the lawn is destroyed.
Prayer:
Father, give me the courage to not only face the sins that are before me, but give me the courage to ask that you show me those of which I am unaware. Lord, let my faith grow as I conquer each of my sins through your Word, instruction, and revelation. Holy Father forgive me as I uproot those sins that destroy our relationship, and continue to lead me forward by revealing the shortcomings in my faith. Jesus, point out the moles in the lawn of my life, and help me deal with their devastation before I am judged lacking because of them. Hear me this morning as I pray... Father, forgive me for my sins; those I have committed knowingly, unknowingly, and by absentia... and Lord, open my eyes to those sins I commit without knowing, that I can obey your command to "go, and sin no more."
Rich Forbes