Today I'm going to focus on Prov. 28:13: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
It's one thing to confess that we've done something wrong. It's one thing to confess that our actions have been wrong. Many people make confession... but that's where they stop. They continue to do those same things... they continue to live in sin, they continue to confess and then do it all again. But we need to ask God to help us to turn, to forsake our sins, to walk a new direction...
In the Great Controversy, we find these solemn statements, reminding us why it's so important that we turn away from sin... not just in action, but in heart...
"If those who hide and excuse their faults could see how Satan exults over them, how he taunts Christ and holy angels with their course, they would make haste to confess their sins and to put them away. Through defects in the character, Satan works to gain control of the whole mind, and he knows that if these defects are cherished, he will succeed. Therefore he is constantly seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry that it is impossible for them to overcome. But Jesus pleads in their behalf His wounded hands, His bruised body; and He declares to all who would follow Him: “My grace is sufficient for thee.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29, 30. Let none, then, regard their defects as incurable. God will give faith and grace to overcome them.Why is it so significant that we do this now?? That we turn away from sin now?
"We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart. The light, frivolous spirit indulged by so many professed Christians must be put away. There is earnest warfare before all who would subdue the evil tendencies that strive for the mastery. The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups. The purity and devotion of one will not offset the want of these qualities in another. Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God, yet He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth. Everyone must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing." (The Great Controversy, p. 489)Let's ask God to search our heart (Ps. 139:23-24) and show us the blindspots in our character or mind, the things that perhaps that we've not yet surrendered to Him... Let's confess and FORSAKE our sins! Time is running out, probation is short... we don't know how short.
Tomorrow's Reading: Prov. 29-30 and 2 Thes. 1
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