2 Chr. 7:14 π Psa. 24:3-4 π Psa. 66:18 π Prov. 28:13 π Isa. 59:2 π Jn. 14:30 π Gal. 2:17
“If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me.” ( Psa. 66:18; top )
Our present attitude in most Christian circles today is, “Because I am a new creature, and because I am the righteousness of God, then the power of God must operate through me.” However, we have failed to see our personal sins as Christians, and our hardness of heart refuses to admit our sins. ( “He that covers his sins shall not prosper...” - Prov. 28:13 ) “But if while we seek to be justified (totally) by Christ we ourselves are found (to be) sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid!” ( Gal. 2:17; top )
Sin is the great barrier and hindrance to a move of God. The reason God cannot move through our lives with the power He desires is the lack of repentance for our sins.
Do we see any of the following as part of our Christian character: failure to forgive, desiring acclaim, self-willed, getting irritated, unclean thoughts, prideful, cheating, being jealous, exaggerating, critical, angry, stealing, dishonesty, gossiping, worldly desires, manipulating people, stirring up divisions, stubbornness, not restoring what you owe, robbing God, complaining...?
All of the above are a part of the sinful self-life; nothing that we bring into this life is worth saving, because it will keep us from sacrificing our self-will to God. Are we willing to admit our utter helplessness and unworthiness, or do we desire to justify and defend ourselves and our sins?
Can we enter into the walk of renouncing our sins, whether they be of omission or commission, by repenting of our respectability and goodness, which prevent our repentance so God’s holiness and goodness will rule our lives?
The holiness we need is not that we have great spiritual authority and boldness, but the holiness that will never fail to be like Jesus.
“Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? He that has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to an idol nor sworn deceitfully.” ( Psa. 24:3-4; top )
Our identifying with the death of Jesus on the cross for our salvation also means identifying with the death of everything He gave up, to be perfect. Jesus said, “For the prince of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” ( Jn. 14:30; top )
The true end-time Church, individually and corporately, must go through a deep repentance, especially:
- For the carnal divisions in the body of Christ.
- For the human leadership and programs in place of total rule by the Holy Spirit.
- For exalting creeds and doctrines rather than Jesus.
- To be cleansed from the sin of the self-life.
- So it can serve God with all its heart, by dying to all vanity and pride.
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” ( Isa. 59:2; top )
“If My people who are called by My name shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.” ( 2 Chr. 7:14; top )
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