Not Me
Sometimes the best gift you can give to someone is to help them admit what they want to keep denying.
Denial. It’s the first form of defense for imperfect human beings.
The surgeon general issues a report that over 2/3 of Americans are unhealthily overweight. Certainly that doesn’t mean me. Economists warn us about future medical expenses, long term care, and retirement needs, but saving and investing for the future is something I can worry about later.
Denial builds its wall of defense in spiritual matters as well, when I lie to myself that there’s nothing spiritually wrong with me. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” the Bible states squarely (1 John 1:8).
According to Lutheran theologian and hymn writer, Martin Franzmann, “Not one of us will ever say [we have no sin] outright, but we believe it enough to act on it nevertheless. We act as if sin were a dead issue in our lives, as if we had no sin that … needs to be resisted to the blood; as if the roaring lion who walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, were not allowed to roam our streets; as if the evil day were not in my calendar and the whole armor of God could rust in my closet; as if some good thing dwelt in my flesh after all; as if I could skate on thin ice in the snug assurance that those unfathomable and icy waters are there to drown others but not me.”*
Sometimes the best gift you can give to someone is to help them admit what they want to keep denying. The best way to do that is to let them know that everything will be okay, even if they accept what they’d rather deny.
So the Bible continues, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (v. 9).
Because of God’s forgiveness, there is no need to live a lie. He is faithful, and will not squirm out of his promise to love all people. He is just, not favoring good people or church people or rich people but extending his mercy to all. Whatever is wrong with you spiritually he will make right with his forgiving love. Unless you insist that there is nothing wrong.
When your conscience bothers you in the sleepless hours of the night, or someone who cares enough about you points a firm but gentle finger in your face, confess your sin and turn to God. He’ll make it right. No denying it.
PRAYER: I admit, God, that I have refused to acknowledge what I know is true about my shortcomings, my sinful habits, and my selfishness toward others. Today I confess these sins, and only because I believe that your promise of forgiveness is true, even for me. Release my burden of guilt, and set me free over the power of sin and temptation. Give me faith to see your forgiveness in Jesus Christ and to deny my sinful flesh, living for you and your glory. Amen.