ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY

WORD OF WISDOM
CONFESSION ~ 1) An open profession of faith (Luke 12:8).

(2.) An acknowledment of sins to God (Leviticus 16:21; Ezra 9:5-15; Dan. 9:3-12), and to a neighbour whom we have wronged (James 5:16; Matthew 18:15).

SOURCE: Easton's Bible Dictionary


Ezekiel 39:26 After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.

The pouring out of the Spirit is a pledge that God's favour will continue. He will hide his face no more from those on whom he has poured out his Spirit. When we pray that God would never cast us from His presence, we must as earnestly pray that, He will never take his Holy Spirit from us.

When sinners repent, and take shame to themselves, God will be reconciled and put honour upon them. It is particularly pleasing to God that people who sincerely repent of their sins look a great way back in their old sin filled reflections, and are ashamed of all their trespasses which they were guilty of. Outward safety is often a cause of inward security, and that is an inlet to all sin.

Ezekiel 16:63 That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.

The more we feel of God's love, the more ashamed we are that ever we offended him. And the more our shame for sin is increased, the more will our comfort in God be increased also. Don't ever open your mouth to justify thyself, or to condemn others, or to quarrel with thy God, because of thy shame. When we see our own exceeding unworthiness, and HIS superabounding grace which has so wonderfully overcome with love our sins (Ro 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:) we are accepting our responsibility. "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (1Co 11:31).

The Divine mercy should be powerful to melt our hearts into godly sorrow for sin. Nor will God ever leave the sinner to perish, who is humbled for his sins, and comes to trust in His mercy and grace through Jesus Christ; but will keep him by His power, through faith unto salvation.

Ezekiel 20:43 And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

Our own consciences will convict us after we have felt His mercies. We have to remember our former ways with sorrow: and grieve. God's goodness realized by the sinner is the only thing that leads to true repentance. There is no shaking off God's dominion; and those who will not yield to the power of His grace, shall sink under the power of His wrath. But not one of God's jewels shall be lost in the lumber of this world. We will be overcome with His kindness: the more we know of God's holiness, the more we will see the hateful nature of sin. Those who remain unaffected amidst means of grace, and would live without Christ, like the world around them, may be sure it is the way to destruction.

Ezekiel 36:31 Then shall ye remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.

You will come to true repentance and think yourselves unworthy to be of the number of God's creatures, for your ingratitude against him. The unexpected grace and love of God, manifested in Christ to Israel, shall melt the people into true repentance, which mere legal fear could not. God would give a heart of flesh, a soft and tender heart, complying with His Holy will. Renewing grace works as great a change in the soul, as the turning a dead stone into living flesh. God will put His Spirit within, as a Teacher, Guide, and Sanctifier. The promise of God's grace to fit us for our duty, should quicken our constant care and endeavour to do our duty. These are promises to be pleaded by, and will be fulfilled to, all true believers in every age.

Let us stir up each other to attend the ordinances of God, that we may learn His Holy ways, and walk in them, receiving the law from His Hands, which, being written in our hearts by His Spirit, may show our interest in the Redeemer's righteousness.

All of us must plead guilty. Guilty before God, is a dreadful word. Are you willing to accept responsibility for sinful acts? Please remember that we sin because we want to, not because we have to. We can no longer go around blaming others for the wrongs that we willing to continue doing.

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY
Hosea 5:15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early