Often, when I approach someone about something they need to correct, the first thing I hear is some excuse or their "legitimate" reason why they are doing what they are doing which is not in accordance with established laws, guidelines, policies, rules, requests, or wishes. It's quite natural to defend ourselves, rationalize, or try to justify why we do something that we shouldn't do.
For example, when I approach someone about their reason for disturbing the peace, their reason is that it is once in while only; not admitting that whether once in a while or not, it is still out of line.
For example, when a policeman in the U.S. stops a speeding driver, it is quite common for the driver to give a very good "reason" why they were exceeding the speed limit; not accepting the fact that they broke the law.
For example, when a thief is caught, his justification is that he doesn't have and the other person does have, or that he's poor and the other person is rich; without acknowledging the fact that stealing of any sort is wrong
It's interesting to note that this has been going on since Adam and Eve. When God confronted Adam about eating the fruit, Adam did not admit his fault but rather tried to put the blame on Eve, making excuses. Cain also, after killing his brother Abel and when approached by God did not want to confess his sin to God but rather denied it.
We are all the same as humans. We do not want to admit our faults, failures, weaknesses, or sins. We want to be able to justify or explain our them away in order to make ourselves look right. Sadly, this is our natural condition, the result of being in a fallen state; because we are natural born sinners.
That is why coming to Christ is such an UNNATURAL act and is evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in us, because when we come to the Lord (for salvation or in our Christian walk) we must acknowledge our need of Him. We cannot come to Christ and say, "I know I'm a sinner but not that bad," or "I know I do bad things but really, I have a good heart and intentions," or "I know I have sinned but I was just trying to ..." and expect to be forgiven. That doesn't work. When we approach the Lord, it must be spiritually (in heart and mind) on our faces and our knees in total confession that we are GUILTY and without excuse. We cannot justify ourselves before Christ because before His perfect, righteous, holy standard we have NO defense.
Remember this though, God is infinite in mercy and very willing to forgive those who come to Him in HUMILITY. That's what CONFESSING our sins is, an act of humility. When we acknowledge our guilt, our faults, our weaknesses, our need we are saying to the Lord that:
We are WRONG but He is RIGHT
We are saying that we went AGAINST His way
That we are GUILTY but that God is JUST
That we are UNWORTHY but God is WORTHY
Therefore, God says, if we come to Him in humility He will give us grace, because He honors our confession of guilt to Him, but those who refuse to admit their guilt are proud and in danger of eternal condemnation:
James 4:6, 10
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble ... 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
It is much better to acknowledge our failures because God is so willing to forgive us, if we would only confess them:
1John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Don't worry about how BAD you are, think of how MERCIFUL God is:
Ephesians 2:4
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us ...
Remember, Christ came for SINNERS not for those who make excuses (those who try to explain away their failures and sins in order to look right before God and men):
Luke 5:32
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
1Timothy 1:15
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners ...
God bless this to you today.
- Jerry Smith
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