4 Steps to Surrender: Step 1 Admit
God is omniscient. He’s all knowing. There is nothing that has ever happened, or will ever happen that he doesn’t already know. Whether we like it or not – it’s Biblical truth, and it’s hard to wrap our brain around. It’s sobering reality to accept that he sees the good – but he also sees the not-so-good, the things we shove into our closet and don’t want anyone to see.
It reminds me of my children. I can watch them do something wrong with my very own eyes. I can confront them in the moment it happens and BOOM! they’re mouth is shut and they pretend as though they have no idea what I’m talking about.
I laugh as I recall a few instances of this, and wonder how on earth do they think they’re going to get away with this – why can’t they just admit they’ve done wrong? And then my question turns into sobering truth as my thoughts turn inward and I remember God’s omniscience and my shortcomings…
Confession – is necessary and good for the soul.
We know God is omniscient, he already knows our sin, but we’re a lot like our kids in acknowledgment. As we expect confession from a child, God expects the same from us. No, he doesn’t need our confession, just as we don’t need our child’s when we sat and watched them hit their sibling.
It’s not him that needs it – it’s us, we need confession and the humility that it brings.
James 4:6, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
It’s pride that stops us from admitting our sin. James 4:6 says God opposes the proud. How appalling is it to think that holding in our sin makes us an opponent of the Lord? I don’t ever want to stand against God, and I’m certain you feel the same – but that is exactly what we do when we cover things up, and pretend we’ve done no wrong.
Truth?
I need his grace daily, we need his grace daily. It is only by his grace that we are saved… and his grace is only given through humility – so that tells me, this admitting when we’re wrong… we’ve got to get it figured out.
4 Verses: Admitting wrong:
1) Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
2) James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer for a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
3) 1 John 1:19, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
4) Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
As we discussed yesterday in Four Steps to Surrender, admitting our imperfection is the first step in obtaining peace, love, joy, and comfort in our homes. If you’re struggling, just as everyone does with admitting sin, I encourage you to meditate on these verses today. Accept the power of confession, practice it and allow God to lavish you in his love as you begin to accept that he already knows your sin – and loves you still. What an amazing God we serve – and how liberating it is to know that even in the midst of our transgressions – he says – “Come to Me.” The Lord of all the Universe says, “Come to me.” Knowing that… it makes me want to run to him. To throw down every piece of me that holds me back and just run to the arms of my Savior. Does it do the same to you? Do those words make you melt and beckon you to run to him in the midst of everything that stands between you? If it does, I encourage you to take that step today, admit that imperfection. Join me, let’s stand transparently before God and allow him to see what he already sees? Will you join me as we let his word wash over our imperfections, and cleanse us into right relationship with him? Will you join me today, let’s choose to admit our need for him together. Let’s choose that good part that won’t be taken from us – obedience to his word, let’s make that step, admit our sin – and, Choose Him.
Prayer
Lord,
You are omniscient. Your all-knowing nature is amazing. You see every secret part of me, yet you love me still. Thank you for loving me even in my weakness. Thank you for seeing my sin, and still telling me to come to you. Thank you for your availability and willingness to help me where I am weak. Please forgive me for trying to hide my faults from you. Please forgive me for pretending I’ve done no wrong. Please help me to stand before you and willingly acknowledge my wrongs to you. Let your word wash me to clean. I don’t want to oppose you, I want to stand on your side, and I ask that you tear down every piece of pride that stands between us as I admit my sin to you now.
Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for your unending love, and grace that covers all my sin.
In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.
4 Steps to Surrender: The day I stopped trying to fix it
4 Steps to Surrender: Step 2 Acknowledge
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