April 30, 2018 - - I Corinthians 4:4

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

I Corinthians 4:4

A defiled conscience will take away all your joy in the Word of God. There are two sins in particular which steal the joy of reading the Word and mar our relationship with God: pride, which keeps us from humble confession; secret delight in sin.

The apostle Paul, guided by the Holy Ghost, wrote these words of our text. He examined his heart and was prepared to confess anything and everything so that his walk with God would be pure and joy-filled.

God has revealed Himself in Jesus by the Spirit and the Good News of the Bible which has been made precious to you. The only reason God chose you--He Who already knew all our sins (we are often surprised by our sinfulness and what we are capable of)--He knew it all and loved us. It is not the people who think they are fine and pretty good whom God calls to Himself, it is people who are aware of the stench of their sins and the foulness of their lives, to them He gives the Saviour Who alone takes away the stain and stench of sin.

Those who have experience the wonder of God's cleansing are the very ones who can say: "I am not aware of anything against myself". Our conscience is clear before God and others because we confess our sins to God and confess our wrong-doings against those to whom we have committed them.

God, Judge of all, it is so easy to pray the Lord's Prayer and not really say it with conviction. By memory we pray "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" all the while harboring bitter memories of all the wrongs committed against us. Open our hearts, O King of Mercy, to confess our sins to You and to one another. Humble us, God before Whom no one is pure, so that in confession and forgiveness we may find real and deep community with You and each other. Jesus the Word promises You break down the dividing walls of hostility; walk among us and accomplish that great work! Amen.