John the Baptist and Jesus both started their messages with "repent" because until we are faced with our own sinful nature we will in no way be willing to NEED or desire grace or mercy. It's not until one is in prison that they begin to ask for amnesty or release from blame. Until then we all live in denial that we've even done anything wrong. Or worse yet, we know that we are guilty but we try to hide from that fact from anyone who might notice. When the Lord finally shows us our sin, that's when we catch a glimpse of our poverty, or need, or desperation. That's when we see we need grace. That's when we finally become humble and contrite in spirit. One of the amazing things about Jesus is that He was humble already. No sin needed to be revealed in Him to get Him to that humility. We, however, are not that way. We are sinners through and through. He has to reveal our sin to us--otherwise we see no sin. We look at ourselves and see good deeds. In His attempts to show us the sin, we respond, "No thanks. I've got this. I'll get into your presence on my own. I'll come to you because I'm serving you and doing good things for you." When we react this way in our hearts, we're in essence saying, "I need no Jesus--He needs me."
What a huge difference, huh? When we say that we're not sinners and that we need no Savior, we go from being close to the Lord and humble and drawn into His kingdom, to being prideful and unwilling to let go of our sin. Remember, none of us is good. None.
Ask the Lord to show you your sin, and He'll gently show you a small fraction of what sinfulness you possess. He'll only reveal a tiny portion because you cannot handle the full revelation. It would destroy you. You'd be overwhelmed with the truth of just how sinful you are. But if you're patient and earnest in your asking, He'll begin to reveal a smidge to let you know:
1. that He's with you and heard your question.
2. that if you're truly ready, He'll open your eyes.
3. that if you want to, He'll reveal just how BIG He is and just how imperfect you are.
Beware, because if you begin this journey--really begin the journey of discovery--you will at times be overwhelmed with self disgust at how sinful you are, while truly seeing how amazing and powerful and sovereign God is. When you think about it, isn't that the way it should be? Shouldn't we all know that the God who created us IS amazing, powerful, and sovereign. If you believe in a God that's not, then why do you believe in Him? Why would you follow someone so pitiful while you are so amazing already?
THIS is the Christian life. To be a follower of Christ is to know Christ, not merely to do Christian things. When you walk with Jesus and seek His presence and His power and desire His view of people and of yourself, you'll crave to know the truth. You'll crave to know what He knows and to do what He does. Even if it means that you'll see your own shortcomings, failures, sins.
You'll know you've just begun the journey and that's honestly the most eye-opening and exciting relationship of your life. It's my prayer that everyone who reads this will courageously ask the Lord to reveal the sin in their heart. Then watch out--you're in for the ride of your life. I'll pray that you'll stay the course, truly be changed, and receive the crown of victory. For if Christ is in you and for you, then who can be against you?!
Thanks for reading and best wishes,
kim
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