“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 Members of Parliament (MPs) expenses claims scandal of 2009 in the United Kingdom where 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 Conservatives and Labour parties with expenses on second homes, false accounting, and even mortgage fraud. There were outrageous claims including 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 remembered when one MP was found out, I found myself screaming at the television, calling for them to be investigated and punished. Just then, I heard the Spirit of God clearly say to me, “Are you calling for them to be investigated and punished because they’ve 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. 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 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 and allow the Spirit of God to do a thorough soul searching in us, to expose any secret or habitual sin.
“You spread out our sins before you; our secret sins and you see them all” Psalms 90:8 (NLT). Are there secret sins in your life? Or do you often choose to ignore the secret sins which has yet to earn you open condemnation? Now is the time to confess them and get rid of them. Your secret sin is no secret before God.
I am so grateful that God does not judge and punish us according to our sin and mistakes. We thank You God for giving us another chance, for demonstrating Your love for us by sending Your only Son Jesus Christ to the cross as a propitiation for our sin.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 