Morning Moments

Psalms 19:7-14 (KJV)
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Did you ever hear or make the excuse, “Well, that is just the way I am”? How often we misplace blame and deny truth about ourselves. The child that turns out fine we share credit about. The child that is such a disappointment we too often take the blame for. Let's get it straight for once: Everyone shall give account of himself/herself to the Lord.

There is so much I love about this psalm, but one thing in particular is how each of us is responsible to God regarding His Word. We can accept it or reject it, love it or leave it, receive it or resist it, but EACH of us is held accountable to it.

Notice verses 11-13, as David covers the basis of sin:

There is sin that is “unintentional” - these are mistakes that according to God, that are simply errors. All of us have experienced quilt, which is God's way of letting us know by conscience that what we did or did not do might have seemed acceptable but was not. This is what I call “after the fact” sin. We did it or didn't do it as a natural and normal response but later (sometimes years later) realized that it was inappropriate. It happens to us all. I remember a young boy name Jack Laird in the second grade that we use to “pick on” in school. He was a “Yankee” among us “Southerners” in the forties. Jack later died and even as a lost person, I felt terrible that I had ever been a part of picking on him. My “errors” cost Jesus His life.

There is sin that is “undeniable” - these are the sins of our pride or arrogance. This is another “guilty” verdict for us all. When I was a little boy I was also “picked on” for being so skinny (you would not know it now) and for wearing thick glasses (20x600) vision. So I sharpened my tongue and learned to look for things in those who picked on me that I could influence others to pick on them. It was my pride, but sometimes we call it “self-defense”. I don't have to wear glasses at all now (except to read), but it took 66 years of life to get to that point with cataract and lens implant surgery. My pride cost Jesus His life.

There is sin that is “questionable” - these are sins of choice – willful sins. Hmm I'm not sure I want to go here, but here goes. These are the “I don't get mad, I get even” sins. These are the sins that say, “I don't care what anyone thinks, I have the right to...” These are sins of choice, even among believers that are based upon acts of disobedience and disregard for what we know is right and wrong according to God's standard and regardless of social acceptance. “I don't care, I'm gonna do it.” God says, “Go on young man and do what is right in your own eyes, but be sure of this, God will bring you into judgment for it.”

Our “needs” and “wants” are more important to us in this category that the will and word of God.

These are all sins because they are not consistent with the standard of righteous of God, but the consequence differs. There is so much more on this subject to cover, but for now we will stop.

We must stop denying and stop delaying regarding sins. Regardless of the category, we must, as David did, seek God's forgiveness, make whatever restitution is necessary, seek reconciliation when needed, and go on with our lives.

BLESSINGS!