Thursday, September 14, 2017

Excuse or Confess

 “O my God, I am ashamed and blush
to lift up my face to Thee” (Ezra 9:6).

Too many believers have a cavalier or high-handed attitude about sin. They say:

“I’m only human.”

“I’m not the first one to do that.”

“That’s not so bad.”

“Everyone does it.”

“There are far worse things.”

…And on and on it goes!

These are simply excuses to justify an unwillingness to repent and turn from that sin. Ezra addresses the subject of true repentance — our heart cries because of sin — we are “ashamed,” and “blush” to even tell God what He already knows but wants us to acknowledge and turn from.

King David, in his confession, said, “Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight” (Psalm 51:4).

John writes, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).

Are we excusing or confessing?