Admitting Our Sin
So I want to show you the ABC’s of making a covenant with God. “A” is for “Admitting” your sin.
The Word of God Convicts Us
Once of the things that Josiah did was to clean out the temple. When the priests found a copy of the Law (probably the book of Deuteronomy) in the temple, they brought it to King Josiah, and we read this:
“When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes…. Great is the LORD’S anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” (2 Chronicles 34:19, 21 NIV)
Tearing clothes was a traditional expression of deep sorrow, a customary manner of showing grief… it was a symbolic way of saying your heart was torn.
The Word of God, when read humbly and honesty, has this effect on us doesn’t it. Hebrews 4:12 says “The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
I think this is what happened to Josiah when he heard the Word of God being read to him. It cut deep into his soul like a double-edged sword! Penetrated his heart and spirit and made him realise just how the sin of the nation had offended the God of the universe. It made him want to repent.
We Don’t Want to Admit Our Sin
Many people don’t ever admit that they need to do this.
Paul said all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
John said if we claim to be without sin we make God out to be a liar.
None of us can stand here and say I am without sin. In fact Barbara Brown Taylor - a professor and priest - once wrote that “sin is our only hope”… meaning that until we realize that we are sinful and not just flawed or imperfect but sinful… we will never see our need for a Saviour.
What’s the difference between sin and mistakes? Sin is offensive to a perfect and holy God.
King David, a few generations before Josiah, messed up badly. He had an affair, and when she fell pregnant, he had her husband killed. When he realized what he’d done, David wrote a classic Psalm 51. Verse 4 says this: “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.”
God only? What about the woman he had the affair with, and the husband he killed? One commentator said this: David recognized that, ultimately, all sin is a grievous offense against God.
Josiah tore his clothes in grief when he realized how the people’s sin had cut them off from God. Maybe you don’t want to tear your shirt, that’s ok… but be honest about the sin in your life.
Admit it, humbly, in God’s presence, and you’ll be ready for healing that his covenant brings.
