Good Morning All!!
Proverbs 28:13; “Whoever
conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and
forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
“I, a poor miserable sinner.”
Many people chafe at this thought.
Many like to think, “I am a good person not a poor miserable sinner.” They see this as an attempt to control by
guilt. They bristle at the notion that
they are something less than good. They
listen to the world that tells them they are wonderful, fantastic and
incredible. There is no end to their
potential. Then they come to church and
are expected to say, “I, a poor miserable sinner.” It can be painful especially when you don’t
fully understand “I, a poor miserable sinner.”
“I, a poor miserable sinner” is not an attack on a person; it is not
some attempt to try and make you feel guilty.
It is a statement that is directed to our natural state. We are by nature sinful and unclean; we are “born
that way.” We are, by nature, selfish
and self-centered. We are born with the
desire to look out for our own interests and those interests only. It is who we are, by nature, by birth.
“I, a poor miserable sinner” recognizes that, by nature, I am unable to
bring about my salvation. I lack the
ability, the desire, or even the most elementary knowledge of how salvation
occurs. By nature, we bristle at the
entire notion that God exists and is our God.
By nature, we hate God and all that he is. We desire a god that we design, control and
configure. We want a god that we can
always say, “the god I believe in”
because it gives us the control and thus makes us god over “the god I believe in.” All of this causes us
pain, causes us to be separated from our true God. It deprives us of our hope, of our comfort
and of our peace.
“I, a poor miserable sinner” acknowledges and admits that, without
Jesus, I am completely, hopelessly lost.
Without Jesus, there is nothing to look to for any purpose. “I, a poor miserable sinner” knows only one
hope and turns to that one hope and that hope is Jesus. “I, a poor miserable sinner” sees Jesus as
the only path of salvation and clings to that wondrous promise that God makes
to us through Jesus. “I, a poor
miserable sinner” looks to God for all we need and want, for all our comfort
and hope. “I, a poor miserable sinner”
confesses our shortfalls and confesses that Jesus alone will make up that
shortfall.
“I, a poor miserable sinner” does not seek to control or to cause guilt
but to point to the truth; I cannot, by my own reason or strength, believe in
Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him. “I,
a poor miserable sinner” recognizes that the only way I can believe is through
the power of the Holy Spirit. “I, a poor
miserable sinner” lay at the foot of the cross seeking the mercy of Jesus for
all my sins which He has richly forgiven.
“I, a poor miserable sinner” am healed by the blood of the Lamb.
Father,
guide me to rely solely on you. Guide me
by your Spirit to always trust in your Word.
Lead me to walk humbly before you and to trust only you. Give me your peace that I may always rest
secure in your arms. In the precious name
of Jesus we pray, amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret
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