By Theresa Leavitt
Hiding in our sin. It isn't new. It goes all the way back in time to the creation of man. To the garden of Eden. Genesis 3:10 "And he (Adam) said, 'I heard the sound of Thee in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.'" (emphasis mine).
What caused Adam, and us, to hide in our sin? Shame and embarrassment and Fear.
How shameful it is to let down the ones we love. How embarrassing, these weaknesses of ours. How much more so our shame and embarrassment before our Almighty God. He created us with expectations and we have let Him down. He gave so much. What have we done? We have failed. How Embarrassing!
This isn't a problem unique to our time? This shame and embarrassment:
Ezra 9:6 'and I said, "O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to Thee, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads, and our guilt has grown even to the heavens.'Psalm 44:15 'All day long my dishonor is before me, And my humiliation has overwhelmed me,'
Now we all know that none, but one, can walk a blameless and pure life. Only Christ Himself was blameless. So what are we to do? We must realize that the attempt to hide our sin is futile.
Jeremiah 16:17 "For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity concealed from My eyes."Ecclesiastes 12:14 "For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil."
Luke 12:2 "But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known." Are there ramifications of hidden sin?
See
Psalm 32:3 - unrest;
Psalm 38:4 - burden of soul;
Psalm 51:3 - misery;
Acts 2:37 - sting of conscience;
Acts 24:25 - terror.
Sounds pretty bleak, doesn't it?
Well, it isn't. There is hope. He gave us Hope.
Shame and embarrassment is a godly motivator. It is the work of the Spirit convicting us to forsake sin, to turn from disobedience, to repent. To seek. Seek In Faith?
Luke 11:9-10 "And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened."Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."
What are we seeking? Salvation, forgiveness, love, security, guidance, protection. And He is Faithful to answer our call. We confess Him as our Lord and Savior, the Only Son of God, we seek in faith and truth, we find. What do we find? Him, waiting for us!
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."Acts 2:38 "And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Hebrews 7:25 "Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
Matthew 26:28 "for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins." We are not to hide in our sins. We are to forsake, turn from, repent of, confess our sins. Seek Him Who is our Salvation, Jesus Christ. He is waiting for us. He is Faithful. We seek, and find? Him!
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
A glorious prayer of protection, guidance and pardon can be found in His Word: Psalms 25:4-7
"Make me know Thy ways, O Lord; Teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, For Thou art the God of my salvation; For Thee I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, Thy compassion and Thy lovingkindnesses, For they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; According to Thy lovingkindness remember Thou me, For Thy goodness' sake, O Lord."
May His Truth be your truth!
Theresa Leavitt
August 19, 1999
All Scripture taken from the NASB