The year end is rapidly approaching, and as I was reading another blog, 2 things were brought to my mind:
Have I lived intentionally in 2011? What have I done with my “respectable sins”? Now don’t freak out over this phrase until you’ve read more.
First:
In the blog she mentions that she took a step to reconnect in an authentic way with someone she loves. She had thought about doing many times, yet she had just not done it. The good reasons mentioned were that it involved risk, vulnerability (we all hate this) and intimacy, which is not just for marriage, but that “look in my eyes and see my soul” kind of thing. When she did take that intentional step, it gave her that inner peace we all so long for. In reflecting back she began to think of the definition of repentance. Rightly saying that we can often demote the idea of repentance to whatever “big” sins we have committed or what we view others as having done to us. Stating how repentance is a necessary component of our lives and relationships, we often fail each other, whether intentionally or through neglect or the lack of purposefulness. Even though we can never be assured or guaranteed that another person will respond to our repentance with grace and acceptance, we must still do that which we know we must do. This is where we can find peace by our intentional actions.
James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
It’s not too late to reconnect in an authentic way with someone you love. We still have 22 days left in 2011.
Second:
At my church we are finishing up our women’s Bible study. The title of the book is Respectable Sins – confronting the sins we tolerate. Oooh!! What have I done with those sins? They are not the obvious sins in our culture but those nasty little subtle sins we as believers seem to tolerate. I’m telling you this is one of the best studies I have ever done. It has stopped me (or should I say the Holy Spirit has stopped me) in my tracks when one of them pops us, and there are way too many that pop up, too often.
We’ve been too preoccupied with major sins in our society around us that we’ve lost sight of the need to deal with the refined, subtle sins. Ahem!!
We see the flagrant sins of our culture, and we’re quick to point out the sins of others in Christ, but aren’t we often blind to the more subtle sins we tolerate in our own lives? These sins can still hinder our walk with God and harm our relationships with others.
There are degrees of seriousness of sin, but in the final analysis, sin is sin! We can quickly identify sin in the immoral or unethical conduct of people, but we often fail to sin it in our own lives. In effect, we live in denial of our sin. We can condemn those outside our circles who commit flagrant sins, while it seems easy for us to ignore our own sins:
Gossip
Proverbs 20:19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
Unthankfulness
Romans 1:20-21 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Impatience
1 Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
Lack of self-control
1 Corinthians 7:5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Pride
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
Anxiety
Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.
Irritability
Ezra 4:4-5 Then the people of the land tried to discourage the people of Judah. They troubled them in building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
Jealousy
Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, But who is able to stand before jealousy?
Envy
Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.
Frustration
Numbers 32:7 "Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?
Anger
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Bitterness
Hebrews 12:15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Discontentment
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Judgmentalism
Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Lust
Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Selfishness
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Sins of the Tongue
James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
There is hope – we are not to dwell hopelessly in our sins. We are to believe the Word through which God has dealt with both the guilt of our sin and its dominion over us.
Which one of these have you served in 2011, and are you going to take them with you into 2012?
Blessings,
Barbara
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