Corona Devo 878

Shaking and crying, cloaked in shame and complete humility, a fellow Believer shared/admitted/owned their sin to a few of us the other day.  

They had already prayed and laid it before God, but they wanted to have this conversation too.  In public.  With some trusted others.  Saying their sin out loud.  Owning it...but also making  a declaration to separate themselves from it. 

Sounds bold, doesn't it?  Unthinkable?  To admit our worst sins out loud in front of other people?   Can you imagine?  

I pray so.

Because...look out!   If we can wade-through/drag-ourselves/own-our-sin in accountability to another trusted follower-of-Christ...Do you know what comes next?  Freedom!   Relief.  Change.  Did I mention freedom?

If you have done this, then you know.  If you haven't done this, then you still know the captivity of not doing it. 

Bearing-our-sin, hiding-our-sin, pretending-our-sin-doesn't-exist is so much work.  I know because I've done it.  I've carried it.  I've hid it.  

So have you.  

It's exhausting, and it absolutely sucks the life out of us.  Or at least the fullness-of-life that God has intended for us (I came that they may have life and have it to the full.  ~John 10:10).  

Falling to the sin (sometimes over and over and over) feels shameful inside, but keeping the sin hidden is a prison that we confine ourselves to daily if left unconfessed before God and trusted others.

But somehow, in some way, sharing our fallibility with (trusted) others, helps to break that chain.  Jesus Christ breaks it first.  He crucified our sin actually, and when we confess to Him, He cleanses us and we are washed free of the shame of it.  He forgives us and we can tap into His strength to stay pure.  (If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  ~I John 1:9).

But in addition...the admission-to-others bears a power that I can't explain, but have been to experience. 

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  ~James 5:16

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  ~Galatians 6:2

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.  ~Proverbs 28:12

~~~~~

In every powerful movement of Christ that I have witnessed in ministries, churches, and people...there was first a humble, honest, soul-quivering moment of confession that came first.  The first and most essential step in following Christ wholeheartedly is admitting that we are sinful.  And once we can do that...we are off to the races for the Name and fame of our Lord.

In the Book of Acts, Paul and others were boldly sharing the story and hope of Jesus with tons of people.  People were listening, people were believing, and people were being changed by Jesus.  It had an effect on people...and it caused a response...

(17) The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. (18) Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices... (20) So the message about the Lord spread widely and had a powerful effect.  ~Acts 19:17-18, 20

What is an anecdote to overcoming sin and the power of darkness over our thoughts/actions/desires?  First of all--Jesus!  Lay it all down before Him.  If we come humbly and submit fully...He's got our back and He fights our battles for us.

But what's next?  Open confession.  Group accountability.  Trusting other (broken) people with our brokenness and experiencing the (unexplainable) freedom that God provides through that humbling process.  It doesn't make sense, but it makes life change.  It provides an authenticity and depth into a friendship that I have only experienced with other (honest) Believers.  Being real with others creates real freedom (in Christ) over our lives.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  ~John 10:10

Can you imagine admitting and repenting of our worst sins out loud in front of other people?   It's highly likely there will be some shaking and crying, and a cloak of shame and complete humility.  But coming before God and others lifts that cloak of shame.  As we throw off that sin that has been entangling us, we put on freedom and forgiveness in Christ Jesus.  

And look out!  That will change our life and how we live it!

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com