Seriously.
Recently, God revealed some big flaws in my marriage and in my parenting; both of which had nothing to do with my husband or children and had everything to do with my own selfishness and pride. I wept. God has a way of opening up our eyes to the ugliness in our own hearts. The ugliness we so easily see in others, yet cringe to see in ourselves. But God sees it all. Nowhere to hide, no shadow of secrets left to remain in darkness. God exposes sin, and as He brings it to light, His intention is to lead us to sorrow. Sin is offensive to the Lord. It not only separates us from Him, it separates us from all He has planned for us.
Come near to God and He will come near to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
James 4:8-10
The cross of Jesus breaks us free from the chains of sin. We aren't meant to live as prisoners enslaved to darkness. Our slates are wiped clean and Jesus purifies us by His blood. We are free, forgiven and redeemed! But God in His goodness brings our offenses to light. Not to condemn us, but to grow us. To expose us, transform us, and lead us one step closer to who He wants us to be. As His image bearers, we owe Him the willingness to step off the pedestal of pride and humbly ask Him to expose the darkness still living within us. And as He answers that payer, we, just as the Israelites of Joel's day, need to enter that place of sorrow. Sorrow over how we have hurt God, and sorrow over how we have hurt others. God is for us. And as we come near to Him, He promises to come near to us. And as we humble ourselves before Him, His promise is to lift us up.
Forgiveness is sweet. And the heart change that follows is even sweeter.
Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.
Luke 7:47
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