“It is impossible to excuse, deny, or minimize your sin without telling yourself that you do not need the grace of God.” (Journey to the Cross-Tripp-p.121)
As I continue making my way on a daily basis through Journey to the Cross by Paul David Tripp, I keep reading gems like the one above. Trying to bring my focus to the cross and resurrection during this season has been beneficial to my spiritual life. If nothing else, it is showing me how lax I have been. I know that may sound strange coming from a pastor, but we are only humans and therefore subject to the same foibles others have. Today’s devotion was on what we do with our sin when we come to the realization of it in our lives. I am a big proponent of grace, but not grace at the avoidance of guilt and sin. Let me explain using his four thoughts on what to do with our sin.
1. Excuse it. One of the hardest things to do is to admit we are wrong. I have heard often the words, “Well, if only they hadn’t….” “If only she hadn’t dressed so provocatively.” “If only he hadn’t been so insulting.” So we try to justify our sin by seeking to excuse it. We need to acknowledge our need for God’s grace.
2. Deny it. “Who me? I didn’t do that.” Denial, in my mind, is a “cheat” mechanism. I can justify what I have done by simply saying, “Not me.” Denying our sin short circuits our relationship with God and with each other. Nothing good ever comes out of denial.
3. Minimize it. “But my sin is not as bad as so-and-so.” Or we might speak about how it could have been worse if I had gone ballistic like I wanted to. Another side of this is when we minimize the result. “Well, it could have been worse if I had really taken a different approach.”
4. Confess it. Being blunt: this is the only and best option for the Christ-follower. Becoming more like Jesus means being honest with ourselves before Him. Realizing our sin is a reproach to His holiness. Heartfelt confession means you take responsibility and accountability for what you said or did. Not passing the buck. Not denying it. Not minimizing it. No shifting the blame. The finger is pointed at the face in the mirror.
As you face your sin, especially as we get closer and closer to Good Friday and the crucifixion, be honest with God and with yourself. I’m looking hard into the mirror myself.
Where have I heard these types of excuses before? Oh, yes, from my own lips and thoughts. Thanks, Bill, for reminding us to own up to our sinful tendencies and to ask Jesus for His mercy, forgiveness and grace. Blessings!
My thoughts exactly Martha and I hope I conveyed that in the post. 🙂
Sadly Bill, I know I have used all of those excuses before, way to many times. I have to remind myself of Paul’s words in Romans 6, should we continue to in sin so that grace can multiply. Absolutely not. Father,I have no excuses for the sin in my life, I have a new life in You. I know that my old self was crucified with You, so that my new life is no longer a slave to sin. Why do I let my old self have power that can only be gained through my own rebellion towards You, Father. I know that I need to depend and surrender to You everyday, because I cannot in my strength or power win every battle. Remind me Father to always be lead by You, and to trust in You with all my heart and all my strength. Help me to not end a day with unconfessed sin, but to come to You, and ask for Your grace, and mercy with a contrite heart.
Like you Gail I have run the gamut of the excuses as well. It is past time to get honest and real and do what should be done: confess not the others.