CLEAR IT UP!

It is possible to live as a Christian, going to church every Sunday and yet living in a spiritual funk where life seems cloudy and confusing. A life of clarity and freedom is a choice, not a stroke of luck. Because of the law, our self-righteous, old nature pressures us to hide areas of sin and failure, but hiding these issues does not fix them; instead, it enables them to continue and even expand their covert destruction in our lives. The truth and love of God inspire us to trust Him enough to face our issues so that we can be set free. It is of utmost importance to understand that unconfessed sin is cancer and will eventually cause death.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

On the other hand, a clear conscience is when you can be face-to-face with God or anyone else and truthfully say, as far as I know, I have not sinned against you without confessing it and making it right. We never need to ask God for forgiveness because he forgave all our sins when he dealt with them at the cross. Instead, we must own up to our sin before God and call it what it is – sin. Confession, or owning up to our sin before God, clears our conscience’s spiritual connection with God. This is why King David said, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; Psalm 66:8 It is not that God does not hear but rather that the relationship has been compromised because of our sin. Sin makes us not have confidence before God. Apostle John wrote, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.1 John 3:21-22 That is why we must clear our conscience by confessing our sins to God. That is why Apostle John also wrote, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Notice it says confess – not beg for forgiveness. Oh yes! Our debt was forgiven at the cross! Thank you, Jesus! On the other hand, when we have wronged our fellow man, we must go to them and ask for forgiveness; this is the only way we can clear up those things that are violating our consciences and producing a lack of confidence and separation between God and us. Please know that your conscience affects every area of your life, including your faith and, therefore, your ability to connect with God.

1 Timothy 1:19   Cling to your faith in Christ and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. (NLT)

When a person’s conscience is not clear, there is a constant inward struggle to feel right – right with God and right with oneself. If not dealt with, it will eventually shipwreck a person’s faith. Holding on to offenses towards others or onto any sin is a dangerous place to be! Don’t allow the ugly things of the past to keep you from the blessing of God for your future!

Is it worth your whole life of intimacy with God being destroyed so that you can hold on to a particular sin? My dear friend, God is here to help you clear things up! Go ahead and get ahold of that person(s) you have wronged; confess and make those things right! Know this; a clear conscience will cause you to hear from God in a new dimension, giving you the direction and clarity to move into the great things he has in store for you!

My dear friend, is it possible that God is wooing you towards new freedom today? God’s heart is to bless you in every way possible! Your best life is ahead of you, and it will be accessed when you…

CLEAR IT UP!