Message Magazine’s Online Devotional for Friday, May 20, 2016
Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
We are focusing on sin recovery principle number four of 12: “We are submitting to an honest self-inventory as the Holy Spirit makes us more aware.”
Sorry! There is deep complexity with this little word. Some cannot say it. Those who cannot utter the word are often too proud to admit they were wrong. They would rather hold onto their offense and save face than to admit they made a blunder. In many ways, it’s insane to think that way because we are all faulty. We are naturally prone to err. Thus, apologizing is an acknowledgment of the obvious fact that we are human and need to amend our ways at times.
Sorry! There is deep complexity with this little word. Some say it flippantly with neither contriteness of heart, nor a sense of what they have done wrong. Some will say, “I’m sorry if I have…” Why apologize for an if? Why not confess your offense freely, acknowledging your wrong, and ask for forgiveness? Often people say they’re sorry to pacify the offended party.
Since we have such difficulty with this concept, and this has spread into our spiritual lives, God has made provision for us. When we sin, the Holy Spirit shows us where we have gone wrong and gives us a godly sorrow for it as a gift (Romans 2:4). The blessing does not stop there. God also empowers us to do right, having received that awareness of our faults. This is called repentance and is necessary for us to have a thriving relationship with God.
If you wish to recover from sin as God is preparing people to live with Him forever, ask Him to reveal the truth about your character to you. Ask Him to give you His sorrow for sin. Ask Him to give you His power to overcome it. Give thanks for the blessing of repentance only He can give.
