Weeds
This week we've been "coming to our senses" about our brokenness and sin.The simple truth is that we are broken. John says that we are deceiving ourselves if we think or pretend that we're without sin.
The good news, as we saw in Psalm 32, Isaiah 1 and Romans 8 is that God forgives and renews us. Today John will remind us that God is faithful and just. He forgives our sin (this was done justly because Jesus took our place on the cross - we are legally forgiven and not just on a whim.)
But God is also faithful because as we confess our sins (get real and honest with Him) He will purify us.
I like to use the analogy of getting rid of weeds. Forgiveness is cutting the weed off at ground level. You can't see it anymore, but it could grow back.Purifying digs at the roots. Slowly but surely we can overcome and eradicate those patterns of brokenness in our lives.
If we expose ourselves regularly and often to the love and forgiveness of our Father who is the Gardener who prunes and purifies (see John 15), He will help us dig out the roots of our weeds.
So, use this Lent season to be real and honest about some of your most stubborn weeds. Bring them to God. Receive forgiveness and watch how your desires/addictions/weaknesses are purified as He deals with the roots.
| If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1John1:8-9) |
