Seeking the RIGHTEOUSNESS of His KINGDOM
Seeking God…to hear of our confession of unrighteousness
The old s piritual says, “It’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.” Yet when it comes to our own sin, we are often blinded to the crippling cancer in our souls. We feel the consequences of those who sin against us. We blame others for their wrongdoing and overlook our own. When someone confronts us, we may excuse ourselves. “At least I’m not as bad as my neighbor Joe.”
In quiet moments, the Spirit of God opens our eyes to the truth. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). We begin to recognize that our selfish preoccupation injures others and is an offense to the God of glory. At that moment, we have an opportunity. We can try to forget it and go on or we can humbly admit we need a Savior to rescue us from our guilt.
King David tried the first approach and felt God’s heavy hand (Psalm 32:3-4). Groaning and exhausted he decided to come clean. He admitted his sin to God. The result was dramatic. “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5).
The ground is level at the foot of the cross. We stand, with every member of our community, looking up at the suffering Savior who alone bore the weight of our sins. But what a message of hope we have for those ravaged by guilt and pain. He “canceled the record of debt that stood against us…nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). We can be forgiven of all our sins by the One died to set us free. “Lord, give us boldness to lift up Your name to those paralyzed by sin. May we preach good news to those unable to forgive themselves.”
Pastor Randy Scheil
Stonebridge Church
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