Judge and Jury!

“Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you”. Psalms 130: 3-4 (NLT)

I remember during the height of the MPs expenses claims scandal of 2009 in which quite a few high-profile MPs and ministers were caught fiddling with their expense claims.

The scandal ran deep into the core of both the Conservative and Labour parties.

It was centred around expenses on second homes, mainly in London, false accounting, and even mortgage fraud. There were outrageous claims from the duck house to the moat cleaning. From flipping houses to “phantom” or “ghost” mortgages – a practice of claiming expenses on mortgages that have already been paid off.

I remembered then that I was overtly critical of their actions just as many people in the country were. I was even more critical of their actions considering we just witnessed a financial crash and many ordinary people finding money too tight to mention.

I called for them to be investigated by the police, for them to resign or to be sacked altogether. Indeed, several parliamentarians were prosecuted and jailed. Some voluntarily paid back what they falsely claimed.

I remembered one of those times, after another MP was found out. As I was calling for them to be investigated and punished, I heard the Spirit of God clearly say to me, “Are you calling for them to be investigated by the police and punished for their wrong just because they have been found out? How would you feel if I should punish you for all the wrongs you have done or committed against Me?”  

Wow! I have been found out! Completely blinded by my critical spirit to see my own sinfulness!  There I was, going on like I am a pious sinless guy, or my sins are less grievous.

I immediately repented of my behaviour and asked for forgiveness. This was a turning point in my life and my relationship with God.

God’s chastisement completely changed the way I view and relate to people. I do not claim that I am now perfect or have not criticised people since, far from it. In fact, I often ask God for the grace to look inwards. To search my heart on what is really happening within me because it is quite easy to default to a critical or judgemental spirit.

It is also easy to be both judge and jury especially when we view other people’s sins or see injustice happening around us. But we all need to look deep inwards. We need to allow the Spirit of God to do a thorough soul searching in us, to expose any secret or habitual sin in us.

“You spread out our sins before you; our secret sins and you see them all.” Psalms 90:8 (NLT)

Are there secret sins you do not know about, or you often choose to ignore or have a selective memory of? Do you have a secret sin that is yet to earn you open condemnation? Now is the time to confess it and get rid of it. Your secret sin is no secret before God.

“If You, Lord, should keep an account of our sins and treat us accordingly, O Lord, who could stand [before you in judgment and claim innocence]?” Psalms 130:3 (AMP)

I am so grateful that God does not judge and punish us according to our sins and mistakes. O what grace!

God, thank you for giving us another chance. Thank you for demonstrating your love for us by sending your only Son, Jesus Christ to the cross as a propitiation for our sin.

Stay blessed,

Alex