Thursday Thought -- June 16, 2011

Good Morning Friends,

“Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.’” (Luke 12:1-3)

What is the feeling that springs up in your heart after reading that teaching of Jesus?

If you said fear, then you are pretty normal. There isn’t a one of us whose life could stand the scrutiny that Jesus speaks of. Every one of us has things from our past – and perhaps some from our present – that we desperately want to keep secret. There are definitely words that we have spoken in whispers and quiet places that we want to see left there for no one else to hear.

But the reality is that nothing we have ever done and nothing that we have ever said will be kept secret and hidden. Our secret acts will be exposed for all to see. Our private words will be broadcast for all to hear.

For those whose sins have not been forgiven because they have not embraced faith in Jesus Christ, the prospect of a devastating exposure and judgment awaits. That should cause fear and should lead to repentance and a plea to God for mercy and grace. That’s what judgment is designed to do – move people towards God’s grace.

But Jesus doesn’t limit the exposure He speaks of just to those whose sins have not been forgiven. He doesn’t say that those who follow Him will be exempt from having our sins exposed for all to see. Should that frighten us or cause to tremble in embarrassment? I don’t think so. When our sins are revealed, they will be revealed in context of God’s grace and mercy. Every sin we’ve ever committed is covered by Jesus’ sacrifice and forgiven through His blood so that they don’t remain a fear for us or a cause of embarrassment. Instead, they are a badge of grace, an evident of God’s love. God loved us – and loves us – so much that despite the enormous pile of our sins, He has forgiven us.

Praise God that we don’t have fear our sins. Praise God that we don’t have to tremble in embarrassment at their exposure.

His, by Grace,

Steve