Face To FaithSample

Some of you, in reading this passage, are convicted by choices you have made. You have regrets. And I want to say to you right away, don’t stop reading. Don’t let the shame you’re feeling drive you away from words that can set you free.

Here’s the deal—the world knows the Church as a sort of moral compass for society, and this is a good thing. And even though people seem to be listening to the voice of their con- science less and less, most people still know when they’re doing things they aren’t supposed to do. Oftentimes, their awareness of their sin comes through the Church.

So then these people who have sin in their lives—and that’s been all of us, let’s be clear— come to a church, but why? Are they coming to be further convicted of the sin that already has them feeling ashamed? Hopefully not.

Hopefully, they find the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, extended through His Church, leading them to be free from their sin and be forgiven of it.

Listen, don’t get me wrong. I stand in the pulpit every Sunday, and usually several other times during the week, and I decry sin, calling it out for what it is. I preach the Word of God without a filter. I am hoping that people leave feeling convicted by the Holy Spirit so that they can grow in godliness.

The question is, what do we do with those regrets? What do we do with those failures?

I’ll tell you what we do with them, church. We give them over to God. We bring them to the cross.
Let those regrets finally be the deciding factor that you’re not perfect. You need a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Let those regrets now draw you closer to a God who loves you. And there, in His presence, let Him wash you clean not just from your sin, but from the shame that came with it.

Prayer
Lord Jesus,
I need Your help! I feel consumed with regret and shame, and I want to be free. I confess my sin to You now and ask for Your forgiveness. Please wipe away my sin and shame!
Amen