Hidden Sins

Hebrews 4:12-14 -  For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Well...talk about cutting to the chase….nothing is hidden from God.  His face dipped into a loving frown as he heard the white lie you told last night.  He turned his head when he saw you pull up that porn on your computer….even though you deleted the history later.  He was there when you opened that secret bank account that you don’t tell your husband about.  HE SEES EVERYTHING THAT YOU THINK…you have covered your tracks on..that you know was wrong when you did it.

There are two major problems with all that stuff you hide from God and the others you have relationships with.  One is it creates guilt…guilt that eats away at your soul ….guilt that tricks you eventually into thinking that your hidden sin is not sin anymore. The other biggie here….is that it separates you from God.  Like Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:8-9 , “ Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.  But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?" He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

We are really good at hiding from God….and God lets us think we are hidden…notice how he asked Adam and Eve where they were?  God already knew…he just wanted them to tell him…wanted them to admit their ‘hidden’ sin. We have to admit it before God can wash the guilt away that we created.  And oh how amazing it is to have that guilt washed away.  I know….cause I have been there…I hid so many things from him….and got to experience the peace that comes when he forgives you of all that sin.

One more thing that I think is really important…it doesn’t matter if your ‘hidden’ sins are adultery or lying….murder or smoking.  The forgiveness you receive is the same…and God’ forgiveness has no expiration date.  It lasts for as long as we remember not to hide anymore.  And another cool thing about that closer relationship you get as a side benefit when you are forgiven…is the reminder each morning that you might be drifting back into old habits.  If you listen to him each morning …he will tell you about any sins you may have developed and need to get rid of.

Father…I thank you this afternoon that you have forgiven me.  I will never deserve or be able to fully comprehend just how much you love me to put up with my imperfect human flesh.  I love you and thank you so much for every reminder you give to me to keep as many sins as I can from gripping my life again.  I thank you for the sweet peace you allow me to feel each day as I begin my day and try to be the servant that you need me to be. Amen.