The first duty of a Christian is to confess his own sins before pointing the finger. All of us bring something destructive into our relationships—our sin. And if we think blaming others or our circumstance is the answer, we have deceived ourselves.
The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.”
Maybe we are the problem. Maybe we don’t see ourselves with clarity. Maybe we love ourselves more than our spouses. Maybe we love our little kingdoms more than God’s cosmic kingdom. That’s the level of honesty that God expects from us. The other person may be guilty. He/she may be the cause of your pain, but at some time you must realize that shifting the blame on others is not the solution to your own problems.
The Gospel imperatives are clear: Admit. Confess. Renew. Restore. You cannot help others unless you have been helped by the Gospel truths. Do not allow the pain inflicted upon you by others to keep you from doing and living the way God intends you to live; to know and to love those God calls you to know and love. Do not allow the sin of others to paralyze you from living your Christian confession.
Prayer: O, Father, my pain at times is unbearable, but your mercy is new each morning. On this day, remind me that you are the lifter of my head and the One who took and takes all my pain. Heal me and make me whole and be not far off, O God, my righteousness through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Hymn of the Day: Holy God, We Praise Your Name
2 Replies to “Lenten Devotional, Day 15: The Priority of Confession”