Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: Are YOU Controlled By Sin?

Hello, and welcome to Saturday Scripture Gold. Thank you for taking time out of your busy weekend to drop by!

The past three years haven't been easy for Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church. But the congregation found some closure in a restoration service for its former minister of youth and church administrator, Charles Lohn, on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.

The church discovered in July 2009 that Lohn had embezzled more than $75,000 over a three-year period. When the investigation was completed, the amount proved to be more than $100,000.

Pastor Jonathan Sims, who thought of Lohn as a son, said, when he found out "it was difficult, very heart-wrenching."

Addressing the congregation for the first time since he was charged with embezzlement, Lohn read from a prepared statement. "I would like for you to know that I am truly sorry for what I have done," he said. "I have been convicted and I have repented to God. I know that I have been forgiven by God. I stand before you today to ask you for your forgiveness."

"I was no longer in control. The sin was controlling me," he told Shelbyville Mills members.

At the end of the restoration service, which also included a question-and-answer time with the pastor and Lohn, Sims issued a charge to the church.

"I call upon you to forgive and to forgive completely Bro. Charles," the pastor said, noting that Lohn would be baptized in a few weeks.

When asked by a reporter why the public service was held, Sims noted that because Lohn was publicly disciplined by the church, he needed to be restored publicly.

"Because this was a highly publicized and reported sin, we felt the church as a whole needed to come publicly and declare we had forgiven him," Sims said. "We wanted to be completely transparent." -Baptist Press, February 23, 2012, Lonnie Wilkey

Do you remember the joy and the relief you experienced when you were baptized? Knowing that your sins had been washed away by the blood of Christ? Knowing that you then stood before God holy and without blame? Wouldn't it be great to experience that same joy and relief, time and again?

There is no reason why you can't; even though you may have sinned terribly after your baptism! Dear readers, God has made provision whereby we can enjoy the continual cleansing of the blood of Christ!

How..? Not by being baptized again and again, but by confessing our sins to God (cf. 1 John 1:9). For God who is faithful and just has promised to forgive our sins! Just as we were raised from the grave of baptism cleansed by the blood of Jesus, so we can rise from our prayers knowing that we have been cleansed from all unrighteousness!

The key is to confess our sins. But how does one do that effectively? Are there some things to keep in mind as we confess our sins? In Psalms 51, we have what David wrote after he was guilty of adultery with Bathsheba. He provides an example of how one should confess their sins to God. He provides what I like to call "The Art Of Confessing Our Sins"

Now you're probably wondering, "How should one go about confessing their sins to God?" From the example of David, a good place to begin is appealing to God's mercy and love (Psalm 51:1-2).

Note the basis of David's plea of forgiveness.

1. "according to Your lovingkindness"
2. "according to the multitude of Your tender mercies"

David sought forgiveness based upon God's lovingkindness and tender mercies. The pardon we seek should have as its basis, not in the merit or worthiness of man, but in the goodness and grace of God!

As we seek "washing" and "cleansing" from our sins, let's not base our appeal on our past accomplishments. (For example, how much we have done for the Lord, or how long we have been a member of His church). Instead, base it upon the goodness and mercy of God! Appeal to His mercy and grace! Knowing that He is slow to anger and abounding in mercy! cf. Psalm 103:8-10. Remember the parable of the Pharisee and the publican! -Luke 18:9-14

And of course, as we seek forgiveness, we must also acknowledge our sins to God (Psalm 51:3-4). Note how David acknowledged his sin. He did not try to hide it: "my sin is ever before me." He admitted that it was a sin against God Himself: "Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight."

While it is true he had sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah, his own wife...David knew that it was ultimately against God Himself! He accepted the condemnation of God against him. That God was both "just" and blameless" in judging him, as God did when He sent Nathan to condemn him.

In closing, as we confess our sins, we can follow David's example:

a. Appeal to God's mercy and lovingkindness (Psalm 51:1-2)
b. Acknowledge our sins to God (Psalm 51:3-4)
c. Understand where we are and where God wants us (Psalm 51:5-6)
d. Pray for renewal and restoration (Psalm 51:7-12)
e. Resolve to offer grateful service (Psalm 51:13-17)
f. Pray for God's purposes (Psalm 51:18-19)

As we confess our sins, we should appreciate that this is key to receiving God's grace (cf. 1 John 1:9). We should also acknowledge the sin; while we may at times simply confess to be sinners, it never hurts to actually mention the sin for which we seek forgiveness. Understand that all sin is ultimately a sin against God Himself! And above all..don't fault God (His Word or His messengers) when we are exposed and condemned for our sins!

The Christian who confesses his sins is the truly happy individual ("Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven..."), for they have the assurance of salvation (cf. 1 John 1:9). Have you confessed your sins to God today?

Let's pray:

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi