Freedom from guilt and shame

Very many are burdened under the load of their past sins. The memory of the shame of disobedience, compromise, the remembrance of past failures. Many, in looking to oneself and realising the entire unworthiness, fear the idea of even approaching God. But this need not be the case. In Christ, there is freedom from the dark cloud of guilt. It is for the very fallen the Christ died and He has made it His mission to seek for the guilt-ridden individual.
His invitation to the fallen:

His promise to the guilty, and broken-hearted over their sins:

“If you feel yourself to be the greatest sinner, Christ is just what you need, the greatest Saviour.” Mind Character and Personality, book 2, p.452.2

The feeling of “guilt”, synonymous with shame, regret, self-reproach. It is this feeling of guilt that robs many of an abiding peace. It is the cause of anxiety and disbelief in the willingness of God to accept sinners.  But this need not be the case, because it is just such who Christ invites, and even offers freedom and liberation from the burden of past faults and shortcomings.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. “ Isa. 1:18.

His invite is to the scarlet stained sinner. This man not only receives sinners, but He invites them, that He may pardon and empower them with the whiteness of a righteous life. 

“Jesus loves to have us come to Him just as we are, sinful, helpless, dependent. We may come with all our weakness, our folly, our sinfulness, and fall at His feet in penitence. It is His glory to encircle us in the arms of His love and to bind up our wounds, to cleanse us from all impurity.” Steps to Christ p.52.2

Jesus wants you to come to Him, as sinful and broken as you are, with the confidence that He loves you too much to leave you that way. It is His glory to bind up the wounds from the defeat against sin and satan.

 “The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Ps. 51:17

“Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. “ 2 Corinthians 5:17

The former things are passed away. The record of past wrongs, the burden of past faults and of sins which once plagued the heart and brought grief and shame, all these are passed away and we may stand before God as new creatures, presented “faultless before the presence of His glory, with exceeding joy.” Jude 24

“The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep [his anger] for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, [so] great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, [so] far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:9-12

East and West are infinitely far apart from one another, and when one comes to God, with sincere confession of all transgressions, this is how far He removes them. This is not only in the case of the record of the guilt, but Jesus desires to expel the very sin itself from the heart.

Note His promise:

“This [is] the covenant (agreement/promise) that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:16-17

When we come to Christ, in confession of ones faults, we may be assured that God consciously forgets our sins and iniquities. Though they may remain fresh in the minds of men, in the mind of God they have no presence. And more than no longer remembering our sins, God writes His law in the very heart, thus enabling one to walk in the path of righteousness, the path of right doing.

Have you any guilt? Be of good cheer, It is for you that Christ has died.

“This feeling of guiltiness must be laid at the foot of the cross of Calvary. The sense of sinfulness has poisoned the springs of life and true happiness. Now Jesus says, Lay it all on Me; I will take your sin, I will give you peace. Destroy no longer your self-respect, for I have bought you with the price of My own blood. You are Mine; your weakened will I will strengthen; your remorse for sin I will remove.  Mind, Character and Personality, book 2 451.2

In Jesus, there is freedom from shame and guilt.

How to have perfect peace

A few notes on one of the rarest commodities in society: Personal peace

1. Trust:

"You wiil keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed [on you: because he trusts in you. 

 Trust in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength" Isaiah 26:3-4

2. Pray:

"Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philipians 4:6-7

 3. Obey:

"Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." Psalms 119:186

 THE CAUSE OF NO PEACE

"But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." Isaiah 57:20-21

Who are the wicked? "...the wicked that forsake your (God's) law" Psalms 119:53. Disobedience is one of the greatest hindrances to peace.

THE SOLUTION

How can those who lack peace obtain it.

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" Romans 5:1

True and lasting peace is obtained through Jesus Christ. The peace that is recieved through Christ is obtained when one is justified, or made right, by and with God. This we may have when we exercise faith, an intentional trust, in God. This is how we are enabled to live in obedience to God's law, and so maintain the peace. 

 JESUS HAS MADE A WAY FOR US

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross..." Colossians 1:20

When Jesus endured the cross, he paid the penalty for mans sins, He provided access to the perfect peace that is experienced in a life in harmony with God's will (as revealed in His law.) The cross is the surest pledge of peace: When one considers how undeserving they are of God's attention, how incapable they are to obey, how far short they fall from meeting God's claims on their life, we may look to the cross: It is heavens argument as to why God can accept and transform the one who puts their trust in Him.

The First Five years (Reflections from my baptism anniversary)

My Baptism, March 27, 2010.

March 27th marks the anniversary to the day I was baptized in the year 2010. It is a day I hope I never forget. This year officially marks 5 years since I was baptized into Christ, and 5 years of being a Seventh-day Adventist Christian. I can without a doubt say that it has been the best time of my life, with many lessons, cherished experiences, and stories to share, this post is just a brief reflection on some of the lessons learnt and valuable thoughts that one has had throughout the First five years since my baptism.

1. God is worth being trusted because of who He is.

"Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Psalms 107:8-9

Over the few short years of my Christianity, I have learnt that the greatest reason to put ones trust in God should ultimately be because of who He is as God. All that He does, all that He provides are all tokens of His love, and expressions of His character as God. Though these ought to be appreciated, we may trust God, so much so that even if these were to not be there, we may continue to trust Him because of who He is: "For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."  Malachi 3:6

2. Christ is sufficient. 

"... His divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:3-4

In Jesus, through the knowledge of Him (being intimately acquainted and connected with Him), we may find every single that pertains to life and godliness. Jesus is like a voucher to all the benefits which heaven has to offer. Thus He should be the object of our seeking, not so much the benefits themselves. He is speaking of Himself when He says we are to seek first "the kingdom of God", that all things that are needful for this life may follow. When we have Christ, when we seek Jesus, we have the assurance that we have access to all that He contains, even the things that pertain to godliness. 

Thus as long as I have Christ, I may have godliness. As long as I have Christ, all things that are needful (even for this life) are assured. 

3. Believe God, Trust His word | Faith is simple in its operation

"We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;" 2 Corinthians 4:13

I have noticed that the simplicity of this point sometimes bothers our complicated minds, hence God even at times asks us to consider truth as children do. Faith is simply to believe God and to trust His word. When God makes a promise, the promise is as real as the God who spoke it, even though we may not see it. This has nothing to do with feeling, with emotion, with apparent circumstances, or any other factor. Faith rests on the word of God, and it is when we obey that word that we are qualified to receive all that it promises. This attitude of faith, grants us access to the "boundless resources of Omnipotence."

3.1 Faith acts, & Feeling is not faith.

As Paul says in the above quoted text, the spirit of faith is to speak/ express what we believe, [not what the circumstances/ emotions tell us]. Thus, faith acts, true faith in God's word is always expressed in corresponding actions. In the case of Noah, when God mentioned a coming flood, his faith in God's word acted in him building the ark. When God promised Abraham a son in His old age, his faith was expressed in thanks giving, "he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God." 

This must be our attitude in response to every one of God's promises. Faith is to act and speak as though God's word is true, because it is. Whether it is in promising and giving forgiveness, and pardon from guilt, or in giving an instruction of command. Real faith acts correspondingly: "I believed, therefore have I spoken"  this is the spirit of faith. 

A practical example: When I have confessed a discovered fault in my life, and in repentance I confess it to God, because He has promised pardon, I can leave that prayer resting on the promise of His word. I can boldly say I am no longer captive to that thing, I can express that I have been cleansed from the record of guilt. For me to not do so would be to call God a liar, after He has promised. "I believed, and therefore have I spoken," regardless of what I have felt, or what circumstances say. 

4. Gods providence on behalf of those who make a full surrender to Him. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose." Romans 8:28

To the one who is entirely given to God and His purpose for one's life, God will always direct the circumstances of that persons life for his/her ultimate good. Regardless of how pleasant or difficult ones circumstances may be, to the child of God, these are always working together for ones eternal good. 
"The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way." Psalms 37:23. The good man is nothing less that a servant of God, it is the steps of such a man that God orders and directs, and that man will ever delight in his way, whatever that way may lead. When we realize this, it offers an entirely different perspective to ones circumstances. One can be optimistic about any circumstance one finds himself in because he knows that "I am right where God wants me to be, and I will put my best in all that I do to make the most of where God has placed me." 

"I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11. I have personally see this in my own life, that even some of what I thought were the most trying times of life, were all instruments in God's hand to mold my character to be like His own.

5. God answers prayer

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."  Jeremiah 33:3

I have seen this over and over and over. God answers prayer. Perhaps not always exactly the way one asks for things, but definitely in the best way that His infinite wisdom has seen fit. The real blessing of prayer is not even so much in the answer of it, but in the privilege of being able to have an open line of communication with the all mighty Creator of the universe. In prayer, God gives time and attention to mans necessities and needs, great and small. It is humbling to consider that I can have an conversation with Him as to a friend, and He answers. In the past 5 years, I have seen some prayer answered years after one has began bringing them to God, and at the very time of the response, the timing couldn't have been better. 

6. Service, evangelism and witnessing is one of the best ways to grow spiritually. 

"There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself." Proverbs 11:24-25

There is something about sharing the word of God, witnessing to others of His goodness to ones life personally, and serving others for no reward or gain that has an impact on ones personal experience, character and personal grown in ways that I cannot describe. This results in very many blessings.

I am convinced that often times God even makes opportunities for one to witness for Him, or to share His word so that I may personally be blessed from that experience. Very few things are as personally fulfilling as being a blessing to someone else. This has been one of the most powerful means in keeping me in Christ. 

7. The strongest argument for Christianity really is a consistent christian character. 

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1

Men may argue against ones words, they may pile up objections to the statements of his faith, but none can argue the consistent character of a pure true Christian as revealed in unselfish charity. This is the most powerful witnessing tool. Without this one possesses essential trait, though one may have the eloquence of an angel, but his words may sound as a sounding brass. I admire very much the character of Christ. This was His most convincing sermon, such that even the Roman soldier that took part in crucifying Him was compelled to say "truly this an was the Son of God." (Mark 15:39) when he saw how Jesus conducted Himself even under the severest cruelty. 

8. A solid foundation for my faith. 

"And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe."  John 14:29

 As a christian, I have found a sure foundation on which to reasonably lay my faith. God, through the prophecies given in His word, has given sufficient evidence for one to lay their full confidence in Him without a reasonable doubt. God is not the kind of God that would have us merely following Him blindly. He created us with brains to use them. One may reasonably consider the accuracy, consistency and the fulfillment of His prophetic word, and from that, be able to say without a doubt that God's word can be trusted a truth. 
This is the strongest assurance for one to have when considering the promises that God then makes. 

" He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32

On top o giving a reliable supply of evidence in His word that it can be trusted, God went further in giving His Son as the Divine pledge of all His promise. God's complete and total willingness to receive, save and convert even the chiefest of sinners is made manifest in the death of Christ on the cross, and had there been something greater that God could do to show how much compassion He has over mankind, He would have done that very thing.

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."  John 15:14.

The cross is God's greatest argument that He is able and willing to save sinners.  

9. One day at a time

"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:1 

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof." Matthew 6:34

The Christian walk is very much a journey, and we need not try to cram into today tomorrows struggles and worries. Many are reluctant to go all the way to God, for fear of what tomorrow may bring. As with every walk, we are to take it one step at a time, advancing slowly perhaps, but holding every step of advance gained.  

"For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2

God would have us live each day to the fullest, making the most of the promises and opportunities, fulfilling the duties that He has given us for each day. We need not let the worries of tomorrow hinder the opportunities of today. In planning for our future, we may rely on God's promises to never put us in circumstances which would not work for our good (see #4).

"Worry is blind, and cannot discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet." The Desire of Ages p.330 

10 Remember God's providence.

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. " Lamentations 3:20-21 

One of the greatest sources of hope and encouragement is to recall to mind the fact that it is of the Lords mercies that I am not consumed, even though I deserve to be.  Looking back and reflecting on what God has done for me, telling others of that, and thinking of where God has taken me from, is one of the most encouraging things in giving hope for the future. I love how it is put in the book Testimonies to Ministers, p. 31:

"In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what God has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history."

Bonus: There is real joy in obedience. 

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full." John 15:10-11 

God has given His instructions, counsel and commandments for our highest good. As the creator of mankind, He knows whats best for us. In the past few short years I have realized that true joy is found in living ones life in accordance with the counsel of the One who knows best, in every part of life, and all through to ones lifestyle practices. 
True joy is found in obedience, it saves one from the pain of regret, from the burden of remorse, shame and guilt, and gives a contentment and peace that is long lasting. This obedience may be experienced by trusting in God's ability to change a person from within (See # 3). 

Pages from my Journal: Morning Devotional thought early 2014

Penned 5 February 2014

While paging through my journal I stumbled upon my notes from a morning devotion I had last year. The beauty of a journal: one can reflect on past experiences which come back to bless you.

Devotional thought on Gen. 43:11-13

Brief background

Simeon, the son of Jacob and the brother of Joseph was imprisoned in Egypt during the time of famine. This was when Simeon and his brothers had gone to Egypt form Canaan in order to buy food. 

• In order for Simeon to be returned to his family, the deal was that Benjamin, Jacobs youngest son, had to be brought to Egypt. This is the condition upon which Simeon was to be redeemed. Jacob considered & treated Benjamin, his last born, as his only son. At first, when the deal was made, Jacob fully refused to let them take Benjamin. After having already faced the pain of "losing" Joseph who was his last born then, he didn't want the experience again the grief he would suffer if Benjamin were to die (Gen, 42:38). 
• Eventually "the famine was sore in the land" (Gen. 43:1), so bad that Jacob eventually agreed to give Benjamin in order to redeem Simeon, knowing very well that there was a possibility that he may not return alive (if he even returns at all).

"And their father Israel said unto them, If [it must be] so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds: And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry [it] again in your hand; peradventure it [was] an oversight: Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man:" Genesis 43:11-13

•  When Jacob eventually agreed to give Benjamin, Jacob gave also the best gifts that he had of fruit, spices, honey, nuts, and twice as much money as required in order to get food from Egypt. He gave the very best of these in order to increase the likelihood of redeeming his son Simeon. Jacob gave not only beloved son Benjamin, but added also the bests gifts, so that the "Egyptian" may be more favoured to releasing Simeon. If Jacob had more gifts to give (in spite of the raging famine that was in the land), it is very likely that Jacob would have given more. Now note: 

"Like as a father pities [his] children, [so] the LORD pities them that fear him."  Psalms 103:13 

• The same way Jacob, faced with the dilemma of possibly losing both his children, loves and pities his sons, in the same way God pities His children. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32

• God, in giving Jesus Christ, His son, gave the greatest of gifts which He had to give, and more than that, He does not spare any other thing necessary in order that mankind may be saved. He risked the grief of losing His only Son in order to save us. Now, if He did not hold back His Son in order to redeem me, there is therefore no good thing that He would withhold if it be that that thing would be to the benefit of ones salvation. 
• God, in Christ, gave everything necessary  to even make the times and place of our individual lives such as would have us most favourable to seeking after Him and thus being saved from sin (Acts 17;26-27). If Jesus could have, He would have given more than what He already did, if so be that that gift would be mold our characters like as His own. 
• The love Jacob had for Benjamin, and the great value he placed on him as a gift, is not more than a glimpse of the great love that God the Father has for Christ. The value He has placed on us is shown in how willing He was to give of Christ in order to redeem us. 
• NOTE: To redeem Simeon, Jacob had no other alternative Likewase, apart from the gift & sacrifice of Christ, there was no other means by which mankind could be saved. God would honour no other alternative. 

If God went to this extent in order to buy back an unworthy race, where then is cause for doubt of whether He will receive us? Did He not pay for us? What then will he not give us if it be that we ask in order to glorify His name and reflect His very character?

02_Mercy and Consecration: The most vital point of the Steps to conversion.

While speaking to His disciples, Jesus made the following statement, illustrating the root cause of sin/disobedience: “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:“ Matthew 15:19.

What Jesus illustrates is that there is a condition in the hearts of man that causes it to produce evil thoughts, murders and every other kind of sin imaginable. This is due to the fallen condition of man and Paul further describes this condition by stating that “the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7. (**Mind and heart in the Bible are used synonymously)

For this reason, in order to deal with the problem of sin, Jesus wants to deal with it at the heart, or at the root cause. If there is to be any change in the life of a man from one of sin to one of obedience, there must of necessity be a change that takes place in the heart. It was with this in mind that Jesus said the words to Nicodemus, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:7

Consider the idea: that it Is “by mercy and truth iniquity is purged” (Prov. 16:6), not just pardoned. God wants to bring us into an experience of what that means, to bring one to a practical experience of being purged (cleansed) from ones iniquities.  

Notice God’s promise:

“Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean (or purged): from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].” Ezekiel 36:25-27

Only as the heart is changed and renewed can any true obedience be rendered to God.  This is the truth which all must know who desire to live aright after having repented, confessed and forsaken their sins.

The reason this is so is found in Jesus’s words: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 (emphasis added). God knows that in the hearts of man, there is nothing in them that grants him the ability to render the true service which Gods law requires, thus in Jesus is provided all that man needs to live so as to please God. Without a vital connection with Jesus that comes with a change of heart, man can of himself do nothing.

In order for this heart change to take place, there must then be a surrender of the entire heart and life to God. To Ezekiel, God’s promise is that “I will take away the stony heart…”( Ezekiel 36:26), but God will not do that by force. The heart must be surrendered  to Jesus. There must be a full surrender before any real change can take place in the motives and inclinations of sinful man.

Notice the words of the wise man, words which are in likeness to God’s words to us: “My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.” Proverbs 23:26. Before one can be able to observe (carry out) God’s ways, one must first give to God his heart, to cleanse and transform it.

This is the step which we may call consecration.  To decide to devote ones heart entirely to the service and will of God, in order to carry our His aims and purposes. This means submission of one’s own will to the will of God. To say, like Jesus, “not my will, but thine be done.” (Matt. 26:39)

This is the secret to true success in the Christian walk, and there is no other. Jesus alludes to this idea of heart surrender and transformation in Matt. 12:33. He says the following: “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt and his fruit corrupt: for the tree shall be known by his fruit.”

Notice the idea: the reason why a tree produces the kind of fruit it does, lies in the condition of the tree itself, not so much in the fruit. So it is in the spiritual. A man may find that in His life, the fruits are only corrupt: evil thinking and imaginations, shortness of temper, sinful practices and habits. He may try by all means to reform these; in some instances it may even seem as though he has been able to gain the victory (to have cut off the fruit). This may last until after some time (perhaps in a time of severe difficulty) he finds himself falling back into the same sinful practices (the fruit has grown back). Jesus gives a formula that guarantees success: that of transforming the entire tree to one which will bear the fruits of righteousness. This is only through the surrender of the heart to God and entering into a vital connection with Jesus.   

To show that Jesus, in the illustration, likens the tree to the heart He further says: “how can you, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” Matt. 13:34-35. This is the root cause, and it is to work a transformation of that very heart that Jesus bids us to give Him the heart, that we may thus be enabled to observe His ways (Pr. 23:26).

As the heart basically refers to the mind, the surrender of the heart to God is to bring one’s own will into submission to the will of God; to make a decision, to choose to accept the service and will of God as the first and highest objective one’s life.

This consecration demands a surrender of those things that seeks to cause a separation between the soul and Christ.

In 2 Tim. 2:16, Paul admonishes Timothy to “shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” There is something about vulgar and unprofitable discussion that leads to more and more ungodliness in one’s experience, and because of the effects of these things, Paul admonishes Timothy to avoid them. This instruction can be extended to other things which make a person more and more ungodly: Pauls counsel is to shun them.

A few verses further, Paul continues to emphasise the reason for this. He says, “If any man purge himself from these (profane and vain babblings), he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified (or consecrated), and meet (as in suitable) for the masters use, and prepared unto every good work.” (verse. 21)

Notice the sequence of ideas: In order for one to be made a vessel suitable for the Master’s use, in being “prepared” for every good work, one must first shun anything that will lead to more ungodliness. In verse 21 Paul use the stronger word: “purge” (as in to remove or eliminate). He says that “if any man purge himself of these,” thus the removal of these things must be a personal surrender of them.

Thus we find that in order to be prepared for every good work in receiving the new heart which Jesus offers, there must be a personal surrender of the things which seek to separate the soul from Jesus.

What could prompt one to make such a surrender?

Paul makes such an appeal for whole hearted surrender to God. He says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1

Paul makes clear the relationship between surrender and the experience of heart transformation. Before there can be a transformation which comes by the renewing of the mind, the life must first be presented to God as a living sacrifice. Of all the motivating arguments that Paul could present, the highest motivating factor Paul uses is the mercies of God. Therefore, the thing that should inspire any man to make a complete surrender of the heart and life to God, is nothing other than the fact that God has been merciful, that though I ought not to even exist because of my sins, God has still not dealt with me according to my sins.

Thus we find that even in the work of consecration, of wholehearted surrender of heart and life to God, the mercy of God (the manner in which God treats us with kindness and love, even as fallen man) must be the driving force.

02_Mercy and confession_Part 2: A case study

We can look briefly at a case study while on this subject of mercy and confession.

After His moral fall in committing adultery with the wife of Uriah, and the attempts to cover up his sin afterwards (2 Samuel 11), the king David was later brought to the realisation of his guilt, and the fact that what he did was deserving of the punishment of death (2 Samuel 12).

Having been granted sincere repentance, David’s confession has some pointers for us on the kind of confession which God accepts, and its relation to the Mercy of God. This confession is found in Psalms 51. We read his words:

“Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  For I acknowledge (or confess) my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.” Psalms 51:1-3

David pleads with God to wash him “thoroughly” from His iniquity, and it is “By mercy and truth (that) iniquity is purged (or washed and cleansed)…”, and the argument he presents to God is that “for I confess my transgressions…” Not as though the act of confession somewhat earns him the forgiveness, but he realises that he meets the condition of Prov. 28:13, that:

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.”

1.       David’s prayer of confession was specific in nature.

Of his transgression, he says to God; ”Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight:” Psalms 51:4. There was no effort on the part of David to excuse his sin. He did not pass any blame on either his circumstances or on Bathsheba, but fully acknowledged that what he did was wrong.

2.       David had a true willingness to change.

This confession of wrong is accompanied with the plea to God to “create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right sprit within me. “ v.10. David had a longing for a heart that would not transgress God’s law again. This shows that his confession was over the very sin itself, and not merely on the consequences which come as a result of the sin. This is what must accompany true confession, a willingness in heart to turn from the sins which so easily beset.

3.       In his confession, David hoped in the mercy of God.

The very first words of David’s confession read, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” Psalms 51:1. David realises that the only hope he has of having his sins being blotted out is the multitude of the tender mercies of God. Were God not merciful, David realises that he would have no hope of his sins being blotted out. Thus It is not to say that acknowledging the guilt has somewhat earned him the mercy, otherwise it wouldn’t be mercy, but rather that he has fulfilled the condition upon which God has promised to grant His sin removing mercy.

Thus, even in the case of David’s confession, at this crucial step in the experience of conversion, mercy plays an important part. What confidence this should then give us to confess all to the God who can purge away our sins. We may come boldly not because we are deserving, but because God is merciful, and it is just a part of who He is to pardon, cleanse and remove iniquity from the heart of the one who confesses.

“While it is a disgrace to sin, it is no disgrace, but rather an honor, to confess one's sins.” Testimonies for the Church, vol.5 p.509.1

02_Mercy and confession_Part 1

I feel like I haven't been posting in a long time... Just been editing each section and I think I may add 2 more sections to the overall outline of the series (I'll update on these as we continue).

Continuing though on the section of "Mercy and the steps to conversion". 

As we have learnt in the first section of posts (http://s-thinks.blogspot.com/2014/08/mercy-and-everlasting-gospel02salvation.html), it is by the mercy of God that sin is expelled or removed from the heart (Prov. 16:6), and God has outlined the steps we need to take for us to obtain that mercy.

The next step in our experience of conversion is the work of Confession.

Once the penitent sinner has realised the guilt of his sins, and in his remorse seeks to be made right with God and be cleansed of his unrighteousness, the next step following repentance is confession.   We will consider what exactly true confession involves and how that relates to the mercy of God.

The means of obtaining mercy

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.

Confession of all the known sins is the condition for receiving mercy, the pardon and the removal of the sins which separate the soul from God. Thus John writes: “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. That forgiveness and complete cleansing, the mercy which purges man’s sins, is freely availed to all, and the condition to receive it is simply that of confessing ones sins to God.

There are 3 points though that must be considered regarding the kind of confession which is acceptable with God.

1.       Confession must be of a heartfelt, and definite.

True and genuine confession need not just be a general, “Lord forgive us for our sins,” without a real regard of what it is one has done to grieve the heart of God. But the confession which God calls for is to confess all the known deeds and habits which are displeasing to God and to point them out by name.  

We are given an idea of what kind of confession God would require of us. The wise man writes “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper…” The comparison made is between one who confesses, and on the other hand one who covers (as in hides or conceals) his sins. So we may already grasp the idea that in true confession, one cannot cover his sins. The sinner must be plain between himself and God regarding his transgressions of God’s law. 

We see God calling for this sort of confession. In the book of Jeremiah, we read the sad account of God’s people who had backslidden from God to commit spiritual fornication with idols and other false gods. This was at a time when the 2 tribes had long been split into the camp of Israel and the camp of Judah (which eventually became the Jews). In God’s earnest and merciful pleadings to them, we may find a lesson about God’s mercy for ourselves.  We read:

“Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return (or repent), thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; [and] I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I [am] merciful, saith the LORD, [and] I will not keep [anger] for ever.” Jeremiah 3:12

Look at God’s response to the stubborn children of Israel in their rebellion. While they were still persistent in their sins, God’s first response was to still call them to return to Himself as their God. He invites them and lets them know that He will not cause His anger to fall on them even though they deserve it and He would be right in doing so. But why is that? Why does God still choose to chase after a rebellious people? Why has He not punished us with fire and brimstone immediately as we deserve? Well, as He says to Jeremiah, because He is merciful; and for that very fact, He will not keep His anger forever, though that anger is entirely justified.

Now look at the one request which God makes of them in order to obtain that mercy:

 “Only acknowledge (or confess) thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.”  v.13

God invites sinners to return to Him, the only thing that He asks is that we might sincerely confess and acknowledge that we are wrong, that we have gone astray from Gods instruction. His promise to such is that He will not pour out the punishment which they now acknowledge that they deserve.

True confession is not just to inform Him of the sin which one has committed, but it is to be honest to God that the act committed is deserving of punishment and request, sincerely, for His pardon. And we are assured that it will be given, because He is merciful (mercy is a part of who He is). 

The opposite of this is to justify (as in to defend, explain or excuse) one’s self. Which is exactly what the backslidden nation was doing at first before God calls them. We are told that “The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah” Jeremiah 3:11. That is not the kind of confession God calls for. To seek to justify ones sinful acts, to explain to God why one has transgressed, is no different than to cover them, and “he that covereth his sins shall not prosper” but we may thank God that we are assured that “whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

Within the private quarters of prayer, we may take all our transgressions to God, and the promise is that He is faithful and just to forgive, once we have met this simple condition.

2.       True confession must come with the willingness to do away with the sins confessed. A willingness to reform.

Having confessed ones sins, there is a decided change that must take place. The one who obtains mercy is one who not only “confesses” but also “forsakes” the sins he has brought before God. (Prov. 28:13)

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:7

How profound the idea. Mercy is offered to the wicked, granted that one is willing to forsake, to reject and abandon ones sins. That mercy is not only the promise but it is also the driving motivator to forsake sin.

Now let us not forget, it is according to God’s mercy that He saves us (Titus 3:5), and it is He that purifies us of our iniquities by the very same mercy (Prov. 6:16). So the call to forsake sin before coming to God is not necessarily that the sinner must have cleansed himself before coming to God, but rather it is that I may come to God with a sincere desire to “break up”, so to say, with my sins and have them removed from me by His mercy. 

Thus there’s more to confession than acknowledging ones sins and accepting the fact that one is a sinner, but the truly repentant heart wants to forsake the very sin itself. To such a one God promises that He will have mercy, and that He will “abundantly pardon.”

It is therefore possible to confess ones sins to God over and over and not obtain His transforming mercy, simply due to not being willing to forsake the sins being confessed. But we may claim the promise “it is God that works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure…” Phil. 2:13. Thus, where we are not willing to forsake particular sins, we may even confess that to God, and He will give that willingness to the one who asks. As we continue with these steps to conversion, we shall see how God does the work of turning a man from his sins.

3.       Confession must hope in the mercy of God. We may have confidence, when confessing, that God will accept our sincere apology.

In Luke 18, Jesus relays a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector that illustrates this point. We read:

“Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican…” Luke 18:10-11

Notice the attitude of this Pharisee. Jesus “spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous” (Luke 18:9) and this Pharisee is an example of that. He may not feel as thou he needs any mercy exercised towards him, but rather that he deserves whatever blessings he may have, On the other hand:

“the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:13.

Unlike the Pharisee, when the publican comes to God, he realises that there is nothing about him that can commend him to God. There is nothing that he can point to as a reason why God should even give him any attention. The publican realises though, that as a sinner, he can claim the mercy of God. God’s mercy, the fact that God is a God who “hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities...” is what gives the sinful publican hope.   Psa. 103:10

Now notice the result of such an attitude. Said Jesus,” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased (brought low); and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”  Luke 18:14.

 Between these 2 individuals who came praying to God, the Pharisee who trusted in all his good deeds went away without being justified. On the other hand, the publican whose only hope was the mercy of God, went away justified (pardoned and cleansed).

The point to be gained is that when the publican confessed his sin, his only claim for forgiveness was the fact that God is merciful. This was His hope; and when it comes to our heartfelt confession of our sins, we can be hopeful that God will forgive us not because of any inherent goodness we may have within ourselves (for we truly have none), but because He is merciful. For this reason, he went away “justified” (forgiven).

 “The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in His mercy” Psalms 147:11. Those whose hope is in the mercy of God are pleasing to Him, and He will gladly accept their sincere confessions. God accepts the sinner because He is a God of mercy, and since “His mercy endureth forever” this mercy may be our hope.