The love was not based on how well they did in life or whether or not they measured up to our idea of perfect.
Somehow, I knew no one was perfect and accepted that everyone had flaws, even admitting my own at times. But it was unthinkable to me to do things to make others feel unloved.
Sadly, we have moved into a generation that thinks it has no flaws and all their sins and mistakes are counted as alright because of the emotion associated with them, as though if we were driven by our emotions, our attitudes and actions must be valid.
I am noticing little, if any, spiritual and emotional growth in most people because there is a lack of confession to cleanse the souls.
It is common now for family members to be rude and unkind because of the gossip and judgment over things they know nothing about. They seem to enjoy making others feel "less-than", perhaps it makes them feel "more-than."
God made it clear that when there is no confession of sinful attitudes, there is no growth. The longer someone justifies rude misbehavior, the deeper they sink into bitterness and the inability to repent. God calls it a hardened heart.
Most relationships in our day are based on manipulation and intimidation to control others' reactions toward those who thrive only on personal accolades and praise.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
James 5:16 "16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Most people live in fear of being rejected because deep inside their souls, they know their own sin and must work continually to hide so that no one discovers the real them.
A person who has been cleansed by Christ from their sinful nature and who keeps close accounts, meaning as soon as they realize they have sinned, they confess it to God and to those they have offended. These people never have to be confronted about their sin because the Holy Spirit tells them quickly when they have done something unkind, and they swiftly confess it.
Those who will not admit and never confess sink deeper into hiding and excusing themselves to the point where they no longer have the ability to recognize right from wrong.
James 5:15-16 "…15 And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."
Notice in this verse that the "sickness" is describing sin. The entire two verses are speaking about healing believers from their sin. This does not have to do with physical healing, although it could be included.
Sin creates a deadened spirit unable to cleanse itself. Only confession to God and those we have harmed will heal the sickness of sin within our soul.
In our day, it is rare for family to evaluate themselves and confess their sinful attitudes and actions. Too many people are working so hard to appear superior to others; they fail miserably in self-reflection and confession of sin. The fear of appearing "less-than" to others prevents them from having the strength to admit, confess, and become stronger through cleansing.
There is a strength of character required to admit and confess sin. Most people hope that no one will notice their flaws or that they will defend their sins, so they never have to do the hard work of character building from resolving their own messes.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
What the weak man who hides their sin accomplishes is to silence God and ruin human relationships. There is no growth, no progression in maturity, and more broken relationships in their lives than they can count.
Psalm 66:18 "18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:"
The Holy Spirit will go silent when there is no confession. This is the reason so many "Christians" do not understand those who hear from the Holy Spirit, they do not hear from Him because they will not confess to be cleansed.
1 Peter 3:7-8 " 7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble."
Acts 16:5-7 "5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. 7 And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them."
Somehow, I knew no one was perfect and accepted that everyone had flaws, even admitting my own at times. But it was unthinkable to me to do things to make others feel unloved.
Sadly, we have moved into a generation that thinks it has no flaws and all their sins and mistakes are counted as alright because of the emotion associated with them, as though if we were driven by our emotions, our attitudes and actions must be valid.
I am noticing little, if any, spiritual and emotional growth in most people because there is a lack of confession to cleanse the souls.
It is common now for family members to be rude and unkind because of the gossip and judgment over things they know nothing about. They seem to enjoy making others feel "less-than", perhaps it makes them feel "more-than."
God made it clear that when there is no confession of sinful attitudes, there is no growth. The longer someone justifies rude misbehavior, the deeper they sink into bitterness and the inability to repent. God calls it a hardened heart.
Most relationships in our day are based on manipulation and intimidation to control others' reactions toward those who thrive only on personal accolades and praise.
1 John 1:9 "9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
James 5:16 "16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Most people live in fear of being rejected because deep inside their souls, they know their own sin and must work continually to hide so that no one discovers the real them.
A person who has been cleansed by Christ from their sinful nature and who keeps close accounts, meaning as soon as they realize they have sinned, they confess it to God and to those they have offended. These people never have to be confronted about their sin because the Holy Spirit tells them quickly when they have done something unkind, and they swiftly confess it.
Those who will not admit and never confess sink deeper into hiding and excusing themselves to the point where they no longer have the ability to recognize right from wrong.
James 5:15-16 "…15 And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."
Notice in this verse that the "sickness" is describing sin. The entire two verses are speaking about healing believers from their sin. This does not have to do with physical healing, although it could be included.
Sin creates a deadened spirit unable to cleanse itself. Only confession to God and those we have harmed will heal the sickness of sin within our soul.
In our day, it is rare for family to evaluate themselves and confess their sinful attitudes and actions. Too many people are working so hard to appear superior to others; they fail miserably in self-reflection and confession of sin. The fear of appearing "less-than" to others prevents them from having the strength to admit, confess, and become stronger through cleansing.
There is a strength of character required to admit and confess sin. Most people hope that no one will notice their flaws or that they will defend their sins, so they never have to do the hard work of character building from resolving their own messes.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
What the weak man who hides their sin accomplishes is to silence God and ruin human relationships. There is no growth, no progression in maturity, and more broken relationships in their lives than they can count.
Psalm 66:18 "18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:"
The Holy Spirit will go silent when there is no confession. This is the reason so many "Christians" do not understand those who hear from the Holy Spirit, they do not hear from Him because they will not confess to be cleansed.
1 Peter 3:7-8 " 7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble."
Acts 16:5-7 "5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers. 6 After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. 7 And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them."
No comments:
Post a Comment