He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" —Ezekiel 37:3
“Can a sinner be turned into a saint? Can a twisted life be made right? There is only one appropriate answer— 'O Lord God, You know' (Ezekiel 37:3). Do I really believe that God will do in me what I cannot do? Has any spiritual work been accomplished in me at all? The degree of panic activity in my life is equal to the degree of my lack of personal spiritual experience. When God wants to show you what human nature is like separated from Himself, He shows it to you in yourself. If the Spirit of God has ever given you a vision of what you are apart from the grace of God (and He will only do this when His Spirit is at work in you), then you know that in reality there is no criminal half as bad as you yourself could be without His grace. 'I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells' (Romans 7:18). God’s Spirit continually reveals to His children what human nature is like apart from His grace.” - Oswald Chambers
No one, except God, knows you like you do. I am referring to the things that remain unrevealed to others. I think most if not all of us prefer that people believe we are more spiritual than we really are. We can behave really well on Sunday mornings .. for an hour or so anyway. Most of us struggle to be more righteous in our thinking and doing. The danger is that we can learn to be content with our current level of sanctification. I mean, it’s the best we can do! That is our old nature at work in us. A constant struggle of self versus Spiritual dependence.
During the great revivals it was not uncommon for people to publicly confess their sins having come under great conviction by the Holy Spirit. (John 16:8-9) “When he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me (Jesus);” For that to have happened publicly there must first come conviction and brokenness privately.
When we hide behind a veil of feigned holiness, fearful that people will reject us if they really knew what we are made of, we cripple the new man. I am not suggesting that we stand on a street corner and shout out every sin … but I am encouraging you to not let the fear of what men may think of keeping you from submitting to the conviction of the Spirit and confessing your sins to the Father. Don’t show more respect or fear for men than you do for the Father.
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” - Matthew 10:28
“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” - Psalm 118:6
To do that requires faith … faith that comes from your pursuit after God.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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