Starting Place of Renewal
“Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Those familiar words from the lips of David in Psalm 139 are the starting place for personal renewal. Further, a widespread revival begins with a work in the individual hearts.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (vv. 24-25) Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, this desire will be a help in the renewal process. It will lead Christians to identify and confess sins which can open the way for genuine transformation. It was the psalmist who also wrote, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.” Psalm 66:18) The Holy Spirit is faithful in responding to the desire to deal with sin. The issue is whether we will agree with God when He reveals our sins to us. And if we do acknowledge them, we are able to claim the promise of 1 John 1:9—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Also, the Bible tells us that God will remove our sins from us “As far as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12) Of course, you must be honest in admitting your sins. God already knows about all of your sins. You are not informing the Lord, but simply agreeing with Him about them. Remember these three things: 1) Every sin is against God, so confess your sins to Him and make things right with Him. 2) If your sin is also against another person, make things right with that person. 3) If you sin is against a group, make it right with the group. Genuine renewal has always started in the hearts of God’s people as they have confessed their sins, allowed the Holy Spirit to control their lives, and made themselves available for His service.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.