Face-to-Face
By Lisa Boyer
“But who can discern
their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful
sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great
transgression”
Psalm
19:12-13 (NIV)
I’ve
been changed by a face-to-face encounter, not with my mortality, but with my
sin. I’ve been a Christian for almost forever, and sometimes (or usually), I
act like I think I no longer have a tendency to sin. This is not about one of
those times. This is about God allowing me to come face-to-face with my own
sinfulness.
I
was having a pretty good day, until I became overwhelmed with anger. It was
really stupid: Someone showed up somewhere I didn’t want them to be and I got
angry. More than just angry, anger raged inside of me so intensely that I was
shocked by it. But in spite of the shock, I didn’t even attempt to stop it. I
was convinced that I was justified in my anger.
When
I came to my senses, I saw that anger for what it was - - sin, pure sin. It was
as though I was seeing how truly sinful I was for the very first time. I felt
helpless. I felt like I had reached a whole new low. I was reminded of the
verse that says “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately
wicked” (Jeremiah
17:9, NIV). I was face-to-face with my own wickedness. In the midst of my
sin, I chose to do nothing to stop it. I was desperately wicked and desperately
in need of Jesus! Without Him, I am lost. I need His grace and His mercy. I
need Him living out His life inside me… all the time!
I
am not proud of my downfall moment, but I am thankful for the reminder that
came with it. I am not, and never can be, righteous within myself. I am
completely dependent on Christ and His work on the cross for righteousness.
“…that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my
own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - - the
righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians
3:7b-8).
GOING DEEPER:
1. Today, will you take a moment to consider
where your righteousness comes from and discuss it with your Savior?
FURTHER READING:
Lisa
has been married to Ted for over 20 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa
administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog, and loves hanging out with and
impacting teenage girls for Christ.
