- The parent walked in to see the broken vase, and asked the three kids, “What happened here?”
They all shrugged their shoulders. “I don’t know.”
The parent continued to question. They finally pointed at each other. “It’s his fault.” - The parent told his young teen, “You can’t go to that party.”
She stomped her feet and screamed. “Everybody else gets to go. I want to go. If you loved me you’d let me go! “
One of those children might have been me, some years ago. I still hate to admit I've done something wrong. My first inclination is to deny the wrong-doing, or to blame someone else. The next is to make an excuse-a reason why I wasn’t really at fault. There were circumstances. Or I argue with God, telling him it wasn’t such a bad thing. Everybody does it. A loving God wouldn’t mind.
Why is sin so difficult to talk about? From the beginning of the Bible to the end—Genesis to Revelation--we are taught that all people sin. Everyone except Jesus Christ. We are also taught God is always good, and willing to forgive.
Sin is anything we do or think that is contrary to God’s word. As we study the Bible, become familiar with and apply God’s word, we begin to recognize sin for what it is. We see it in our own life and in the world around us. The contrast between God’s character and ours becomes painfully apparent.
It’s always been hard for me to name the sin. Confession doesn’t come naturally. I don’t want to admit I did it. When caught in sin, my first thought is to blame someone else. (See Genesis 3:12-13) And when I admit it, I’m prone to make an excuse for the behavior. No one would blame me when I have to deal with this.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:9 ESV
Wouldn’t it be great if we were taught, as children, to recognize wrong behavior and to readily admit “I did something wrong. This is what I did and I’m seeking forgiveness.”
Denying sin keeps us from a special intimate relationship with our Savior.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 ESV
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 ESV
- God, our Creator, knows what we do, what we think and why. Why shy away from admitting the sin, when he knows us so well?
- As we become acquainted with God’s word, we understand what he calls sin.
- Why not begin each day with Scripture reading?
- Why not complete each day with prayer in which we confess sin, name it, and sleep peacefully in forgiveness, free from guilt?
