If We Say We Have No Sin

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:8-10 NRSV

Not too long ago, I had occasion to listen to someone insist that they had never stolen anything from anyone. They were totally incapable or unwilling to confess that they were guilty of taking something that belonged to another in spite of the fact that concrete evidence had been presented in a courtroom more than once; that they had been found guilty a few times; and had spent time in jail and in prison on at least a couple of occasions.

I wish that this were an isolated incident; but, it is not. Over and over again, I have witnessed this inability to confess a sin even though there were witnesses; even though confession would have helped them in the long run.

About a year ago, I witnessed two teen-age boys breaking into a house. But, they claimed that they were innocent. I was mistaken. How do you mistake someone crawling through a bedroom window? Apparently, I can! I guess they were just going to visit even though no one was home. They meant no harm. There was no need for forgiveness because they denied it; the incident was forgotten and these young people continued in the way that they had been  going. 

We all sin. But, according to St. John, it is imperative that we confess our sins so that we can receive forgiveness. Being cleansed from all unrighteousness, we can move on with our lives in a new and fruitful way that will benefit not just ourselves but others around us.

"If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Sadly, in this world there are those who feel that they do not need to be cleansed of unrighteousness. Sadly, there are those who feel that doing injustice is the way to live and to teach others to live.

Jesus died so that we might receive forgiveness and be reconciled to our Father in heaven and to the whole Body of Christ. This forgiveness is for all who would believe in him; none are excluded. Repent; turn around and follow Jesus into the Kingdom of God.

May God speak to our hearts and minds that we might all repent and turn to Him; following in our Lord's footsteps; helping and defending rather than doing injustice to our neighbors.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 John 1 - Empty the Trash

1 John 1 NIV
Every Sunday, we are reminded during confession that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Then following confession, we hear that our sins are forgiven. We are cleansed of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ. Christians are well aware that we are "simul justus et peccator," both saint and sinner. We do not always do what we know we ought to be doing. But, we also know as we confess our sins that we are forgiven.

It is truly frustrating for me to hear someone's confession and the confession ends up sounding more like they are confessing for someone else. There are some who simply cannot 'fess up. They are always right and everyone else is wrong. They will not confess their own sins. Rather, they end up confessing the sins of others. I'm not sure how they think this is working for them. There are times when I long to be back working within the correctional system again. There they have already been convicted of their sins and many are eager to be absolved of their sins. But, within the community of those baptized into the church, I often see attempts to cover sins committed by blaming someone else or flat out lying about what one did or didn't do. If we truly want to be cleansed of our sins, we first have to admit that we are sinners.

My granddaughter helped me clean the house yesterday. Trash cans were washed. But, before one can be washed; you first have to take out the trash.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us." (vss 8-10)

Help us, Lord, to recognize our sin that we might repent; turn to You.

God's Peace - Pr. J

James 1:18-27 Slow to Anger

James 1:18-27 NIV

Sully: The gentle giant...

Not many people care to be around bullies for too long. It is not pleasant to be around someone who can become angry at the drop of a hat. They may say they are standing up for what they believe, But, in fact, usually, their outbursts are attempts to justify their (or someone else's) self-centered desires and lifestyles.

James reminds us that "everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." (vs 19) Anger does not produce righteousness. It produces unrighteousness. It produces drama, anxiety, and all kinds of other evils. "Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." (vs 21)

We, who look to Jesus who is our righteousness, ought to consider the needs of others before we speak or act so that, with the help of God, others may be blessed.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezeiel 20 - Just a Parable or Fairy Tale?

"Then I said, “Sovereign Lord, they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?" (Ezekiel 20:49 NIV)

Do you want to be like your forefathers? Do you really have to worship false idols? You want to rebel against me and follow in the ways of the world? This, says the LORD, He will not allow to happen. They will be sent into the wilderness. They will be purged of their unrighteousness.

The word of God comes through Ezekiel, the prophet, for the LORD will not allow these rebellious children to speak to Him. Yet, they mock Ezekiel. They ignore the word of God. Saying to Ezekiel, "Isn’t he just telling parables?" (vs 49) Isn't he just telling us nice stories? Very few things frustrate me more than to know that someone claims to be a Christian; yet, thinks that the Holy Bible is nothing more than a good or nice book. We can take out of it those things that will help us live better lives according to the world's standards. But, those things that don't fit the modern world we live in today, can be thrown out. It has, for some, become a book of law with good teaching or laws that we are to follow or not. All it takes is a vote of the church to get rid of what doesn't suit us. I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. The Holy Bible is not just a book which presents a nice outline on how to get along with our neighbor or not depending on the individual or even the generation. It is a book of grace. It brings us the good news of life in the promised land - His Kingdom. And... it is definitely the word of God. We don't get to pick and choose which words are merely cute stories and which ones we might choose to take to heart.  Quit writing God's word off as fairy tales. If we expect God to listen to us, then let us listen to Him.

"Then the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Have you come to inquire of me? As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me, declares the Sovereign LORD." (Ezekiel 20:2-3)

God's Peace - Pr. J