A few disclaimers before launching into the topic for today. First, this is not meant to be political, I will however be using an example for our nation’s current political environment to make a point. I will not be sharing my political views here or on social media, these are not the places for such conversations. Secondly, what is shared here are words I strongly feel led by God to share. Before sitting down to write this today, I prayed and specifically asked for scripture to back up my thoughts and God was faithful to provide, so I will obedient and share.  

Everyone knows about the division, hated and lack of truth that has been plaguing our nation as of late. This past year has shed even more light on how far we, as a nation, are from God. Earlier this week we all saw the culmination of brewing hate as our nation’s capitol building was breached by rioters. We have heard and read the varying theories and speculations about who is to blame. Not to mention a myriad of feelings that this chaos have left us with. Feelings such as; shock, disgust, unbelief, and anger just to name a few. There is no doubt in my mind that our nation is in desperate need of Jesus and that he alone is the answer!

However, that is not really the point of what I want to share today. Here’s the thought that keeps running through my head- these feelings of disgust and deep hurt that we feel over the events of this week, are the exact feelings God has toward our sin. You might be thinking “now wait a minute, I have never done anything that bad!”. But let me remind you that as far as God is concerned, sin is sin. Scripture supports this in Romans 3:23– “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. God’s character is such that he cannot be around sin, Isaiah 59:2 tells us that our sin “separates us from God”. Even Jesus felt this weight and separation from God when he graciously took our sin on him on the cross, as we read in Mark 15:34 when he says “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me”. The bottom line is God hates sin, he literally cannot be around it, regardless of our view of its severity. A seemingly small lie is just as hurtful to our Savior as the most vicious attack imaginable. We are all guilty.

What has been happening across our nation is undoubtedly sin. And I would venture to guess that all of us have played a part in that sin in one way or another. While we have not been a part of riots and or protest, many have put ourselves on the judgement seat; casting blame, furthering division by hurtful and hateful comments, and in some cases by remaining silent when confronted with opportunities to share the truth of the gospel. And if not this week, at some point in the past. My point is not to cast blame, but to encourage you as a fellow believer, to think about what your personal sin is doing to your relationship with Jesus. Brothers and sisters in Christ- we are called to be different, to be better. 1 Peter 1:16 calls us to “be holy, because I am holy” and 1 Peter 2:9 says “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” And I an convinced that the first step in becoming more like Jesus is honestly confronting and accepting our sin.

Each and every day we have a choice. We can choose to do what many have been doing: make excuses, place blame, complain, (which only creates more division when we choose to post our personal opinions on social media), ignoring the consequences of our own actions, while we look for someone else to “fix” it for us. Or we can look to scripture and see how it leads us to respond not only to our sin, but the sins of our brothers and sisters. When we do the latter, I believe the Holy Spirit will meet us, enabling us to see our sin the way God sees our sin. Which allows us to honestly confront our sin, confess it and ask for forgiveness. And as 1 John 1:9 says “when we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Ephesians 4:17-5:5 can provide some great insight and wisdom. In this rich passage, Paul instructs us well  –

“Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts.  They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. But that is not how you came to know Christ, assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.  Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity.  Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need.  No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.  And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice.  And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children,and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.  But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.  For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

It’s been several months since I’ve begun asking God to captivate my whole heart each day. Over these few months, time and time again he seems to show me the depth of my sin and it’s effect on our relationship. I cannot grow closer to Jesus while holding to my sin. It’s time for me to completely let go of past sins, that for whatever reason I want to hold on to, and allow my Savior to free me. Maybe more accurately, it’s time for me to fully accept his complete forgiveness and move forward. Whichever it is, I must fully embrace the challenge to step up and stand up for Jesus, pursuing to be more like him each and every day. I will continue to pray this prayer, because what I really want is to live a life fully captivated by Jesus.

Father God, captivate our hearts, souls and minds as we seek to follow you more and more. Expose our sin to your light and help us honestly confront and confess that sin, purify our hearts and allow us to see our sin and clearly as you do, fill us with a desire to completely turn away from it. Thank you, Jesus, for already paying the price for our sin! We are grateful for your great mercy and grace towards us. Jesus, give us the boldness and courage to live differently for you, in such a way that your light shines through us as never before. We love Jesus, it’s in your name that we pray. Amen.