Into the Fire

You hear it. You read it. You see it. The result: Instant Guilt. You reassess. You rationalize. You re-examine. You justify. You ponder. You argue in silence. You are in the throes of conviction. You first hate it. You then question yourself. You rise to your own defense. What conclusion will you ultimately come to?

Now some of you feel guilt no matter what happens—to you, to a stranger, to anyone in the world. It’s got to be your fault. You did something wrong sometime to someone, and here is the result. It’s always your fault. Punishment is sure to follow. You volunteer to be taken away. You apologize profusely for all the sins on earth. You know you were wrong, in error, not right, sinful.

Others of you couldn’t possibly have made a mistake. No, no. Someone else is responsible for making you look bad. It’s their fault regardless of the fact that they were nowhere in the vicinity of this infraction. Doesn’t matter. They could’ve been, should’ve been, would’ve been—except they weren’t. Irrelevant. There had to be someone who interfered in the situation to make it seem like you were wrong, in error, made a bad decision . . . sinned even. It couldn’t have been your fault.

The rest of us are somewhere in between. Dang!! Tell me I didn’t do that. Someone, please! Did I really say that, think that, do that? I mean, didn’t they have it coming? Well, someone told me to do it that way. I thought it wouldn’t be that bad, you know? Uh-huh. Then finally. God, I’m sorry. I’m just so sorry. Please forgive me. I was wrong.

Christians, all. Sin is not uncommon to us. We are much too familiar with how it all goes down. And, oh how I hate it when it’s me who’s wrong. Don’t you?

The interesting thing is when you’re an observer and a listener to someone who is describing something close to them—let’s just say . . . their business. They rumble on for a few minutes about the negatives—a little injustice here and there, an occasional “false front”, one or two unfair advantages taken, a couple of prime people who lack integrity, several discriminatory practices in selection of people and product. No big deal.

However, when you note the unfairness in what the speaker has just expounded upon, declaring your surprise or empathizing with the trials of such wrongdoings, immediately the speaker goes into defense mode. Suddenly all he’s said is minimized to near non-existence. By the time he concludes, his words have become a simple misunderstanding: yours. His business is, in fact, perfect. There are no shortcomings. No need for improvements. No people who need to re-evaluate their values. No errors in purpose, no preferences of people, and only the best selection of product with nothing to necessitate changing or amplifying selections.

The throes of conviction before the release of repentance. Guilt by association and condoning the lack of betterment that change affords.

Maybe you get my drift here, and maybe you don’t. I’m not going to get any more specific.

Being wrong is no fun. Depending on how big the error is, it can be life-changing. Anyway we look at it we have to be on guard for the sin which so eagerly waits to devour us daily. Always need to be doing the heart-check. Listening to the Spirit’s voice instead of ignoring His gentle revelations. Coming humbly into the throne room seeking forgiveness from the One who so graciously gives it. Always. Amazing Love . . .

So, individuals and professionals alike: Sin is sin. If you’re twisting in the throes of conviction, straighten up. Give it up. Get real. Get cleansed by the Blood of Jesus. You’ll be better off for it.

Forgive me, Lord. Help me to quickly confess my sins to you. Fill me with your mercy and grace. Let me see through your eyes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.