LETTING GO OF OUR ILLUSION OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS [DEVOTION] - 21 November 2008

#1 · December 5, 2008, 8:55 am

Quote from Forum Archives on December 5, 2008, 8:55 am
Posted by: feedtheflock_dev <feedtheflock_dev@...>
LETTING GO OF OUR ILLUSION OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

Who likes confession? Do you know the ways of owning up to our failures and weaknesses, privately and sometimes even publicly acknowledging our sins? Sound like fun? No way!

Even Jesus' words in Matthew 7:5 on this topic can make us cringe, can't they?

"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Who likes to be called a hypocrite? Not me!

But when it comes to honestly sharing with another person the depth of our selfishness, laziness, addictions, lusts, and unbelief ... aren't we all hypocrites? Aren't we all tempted to put on that "good show" and live the fake "Christian" life that is merely an illusion of self-righteousness?

"As we reflect on and rejoice in the gospel of Christ, two things happen. Our pride and defensiveness is stripped away, and we can let go of our illusion of self-righteousness, honestly examine ourselves, and find freedom from guilt and sin by admitting our wrongs. At the same time, the gospel shows us how important reconciliation is to God, which inspires us to do everything we can to repair any harm we have caused to others and to be reconciled to those we have offended. This restoration process involves four activities: repentance, self-examination, confession, and personal change."

Our prayer requests at Bible studies tend to be for our sick grandmothers or for missionaries a continent away--but we rarely turn to our brother or sister in Christ and ask for their help because our child is rebelling; our marriage is crumbling; we're questioning God's goodness; we can't seem to put down that (fill in the blank ...) doughnut, Blackberry, prescription drug, laptop, illicit book or magazine (and on and on).

Why oh why don't we confess? And get help? Many times it's because we think we're the only ones. No one else in our church knows what it's like to have a teenage daughter (the "good girl!") headed toward drug addiction. Your husband is the only one in the church to ever struggle with pornography. No one else could ever understand! Your marriage is on the rocks? You're the only one! Every other couple communicates great and feels as emotionally connected as the day they said, "I do!"

Right. Sure. Whatever you say.

I like to call the temptation to think this way the myth of chronic uniqueness. We continually think we're the only ones--we're chronically unique--and so we hide and never get real with our brothers and sisters around us.

But Ken is right, of course. The gospel frees us to be real, to confess, and to find freedom! Not because we have it all together--but because so great is our sin that it required Jesus to die. And so great is God's love, that he sent his only Son, who was condemned in our place. So we do not need to hide, for there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

And the person sitting next to us in the pew? They are just as messed up and desperate for the Savior as we are. So let's set aside this myth of chronic uniqueness and run to him together!

By Tara Barthel of www.Peacemaker.net

Seven A's of Confession

As God opens your eyes to see how you have sinned against others, he simultaneously offers you a way to find freedom from your past wrongs. It is called confession. Many people have never experienced this freedom because they have never learned how to confess their wrongs honestly and unconditionally. Instead, they use words like these: "I'm sorry if I hurt you." "Let's just forget the past." "I suppose I could have done a better job." "I guess it's not all your fault." These token statements rarely trigger genuine forgiveness and reconciliation. If you really want to make peace, ask God to help you breathe grace by humbly and thoroughly admitting your wrongs. One way to do this is to use the Seven A's.

1. Address everyone involved (All those whom you affected)

2. Avoid if, but, and maybe (Do not try to excuse your wrongs)

3. Admit specifically (Both attitudes and actions)

4. Acknowledge the hurt (Express sorrow for hurting someone)

5. Accept the consequences (Such as making restitution)

6. Alter your behaviour (Change your attitudes and actions)

7. Ask for forgiveness

See Matthew 7:3-5; 1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13.

For more visit http://www.surrender.nl/scom and www.freewebs.com/scoministry

Do you have comments or issues concerning your Christian Life? Email to: feedtheflock_owner@welovegod.org

Help spread God’s word, please forward the devotion to as many friends and relatives as possible and encourage them to subscribe free of charge. If this was forwarded to you, you can subscribe by sending a blank email to the following address:

feedtheflock-subscribe@associate.com
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Posted by: feedtheflock_dev <feedtheflock_dev@...>

LETTING GO OF OUR ILLUSION OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

Who likes confession? Do you know the ways of owning up to our failures and weaknesses, privately and sometimes even publicly acknowledging our sins? Sound like fun? No way!

Even Jesus' words in Matthew 7:5 on this topic can make us cringe, can't they?

"You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Who likes to be called a hypocrite? Not me!

But when it comes to honestly sharing with another person the depth of our selfishness, laziness, addictions, lusts, and unbelief ... aren't we all hypocrites? Aren't we all tempted to put on that "good show" and live the fake "Christian" life that is merely an illusion of self-righteousness?

"As we reflect on and rejoice in the gospel of Christ, two things happen. Our pride and defensiveness is stripped away, and we can let go of our illusion of self-righteousness, honestly examine ourselves, and find freedom from guilt and sin by admitting our wrongs. At the same time, the gospel shows us how important reconciliation is to God, which inspires us to do everything we can to repair any harm we have caused to others and to be reconciled to those we have offended. This restoration process involves four activities: repentance, self-examination, confession, and personal change."

Our prayer requests at Bible studies tend to be for our sick grandmothers or for missionaries a continent away--but we rarely turn to our brother or sister in Christ and ask for their help because our child is rebelling; our marriage is crumbling; we're questioning God's goodness; we can't seem to put down that (fill in the blank ...) doughnut, Blackberry, prescription drug, laptop, illicit book or magazine (and on and on).

Why oh why don't we confess? And get help? Many times it's because we think we're the only ones. No one else in our church knows what it's like to have a teenage daughter (the "good girl!") headed toward drug addiction. Your husband is the only one in the church to ever struggle with pornography. No one else could ever understand! Your marriage is on the rocks? You're the only one! Every other couple communicates great and feels as emotionally connected as the day they said, "I do!"

Right. Sure. Whatever you say.

I like to call the temptation to think this way the myth of chronic uniqueness. We continually think we're the only ones--we're chronically unique--and so we hide and never get real with our brothers and sisters around us.

But Ken is right, of course. The gospel frees us to be real, to confess, and to find freedom! Not because we have it all together--but because so great is our sin that it required Jesus to die. And so great is God's love, that he sent his only Son, who was condemned in our place. So we do not need to hide, for there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

And the person sitting next to us in the pew? They are just as messed up and desperate for the Savior as we are. So let's set aside this myth of chronic uniqueness and run to him together!

By Tara Barthel of http://www.Peacemaker.net

Seven A's of Confession

As God opens your eyes to see how you have sinned against others, he simultaneously offers you a way to find freedom from your past wrongs. It is called confession. Many people have never experienced this freedom because they have never learned how to confess their wrongs honestly and unconditionally. Instead, they use words like these: "I'm sorry if I hurt you." "Let's just forget the past." "I suppose I could have done a better job." "I guess it's not all your fault." These token statements rarely trigger genuine forgiveness and reconciliation. If you really want to make peace, ask God to help you breathe grace by humbly and thoroughly admitting your wrongs. One way to do this is to use the Seven A's.

1. Address everyone involved (All those whom you affected)

2. Avoid if, but, and maybe (Do not try to excuse your wrongs)

3. Admit specifically (Both attitudes and actions)

4. Acknowledge the hurt (Express sorrow for hurting someone)

5. Accept the consequences (Such as making restitution)

6. Alter your behaviour (Change your attitudes and actions)

7. Ask for forgiveness

See Matthew 7:3-5; 1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13.

For more visit http://www.surrender.nl/scom and http://www.freewebs.com/scoministry

Do you have comments or issues concerning your Christian Life? Email to: feedtheflock_owner@welovegod.org

Help spread God’s word, please forward the devotion to as many friends and relatives as possible and encourage them to subscribe free of charge. If this was forwarded to you, you can subscribe by sending a blank email to the following address:

feedtheflock-subscribe@associate.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: feedtheflock-unsubscribe@welovegod.org For additional commands, e-mail: feedtheflock-help@welovegod.org