Deep Clean

A proper view of God leads to a proper view of ourselves. Through humble repentance and faith in the finished work of Jesus, our position is secure in the kingdom of God. The Beatitudes are like a staircase of character attributes that gauge our spiritual temperature and fellowship with our King. We take great comfort in the promise that nothing will ever separate us from the love of God when we are in Christ Jesus. While our souls are secure, the higher ground of joy and blessing is related to our ongoing attitude toward sin.

Only those who mourn over sin are blessed, comforted, and happy because only those who sorrow over sin are in right fellowship with God. While our salvation and soul are not at stake, the joy of having nothing between us and the Lord is the high ground of comfort. The Bible contains many examples of people who knew and worshiped God but reaped consequences in this life for ignoring or covering up ongoing sins. Coming clean before the Lord through confession of sin regularly leads to a blessed life. An old proverb says, “There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.”

I read about a pastor who grew up on a ranch where he regularly had to “muck out” (clean out) the cow stalls. As a little boy, he found it much easier to simply throw down another layer of hay than do the work of cleaning out the stalls. He learned the hard way as the days went on that hay can only do so much to absorb the indiscretions of cows. There comes a day when the stall must have a deep clean. Don’t wait until you are ankle-deep in unconfessed sin. Regular confession before the Lord provides the comfort of forgiveness, a clear conscience, and fellowship with God, which is the higher ground of kingdom living.

Reflective Questions

1. Are you sensitive to sin, or do you ignore it? How does your life prove either response?
2. When was the last time you mourned over sin? What were the circumstances of the sin? How did you respond to the sin?
3. Do you know the joy of a clear conscience before the Lord? Do you have unconfessed sin in your life today? What is stopping you from making things right with God?

Memory Verse

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 (NKJV)

Prayer

Dear God, please convict me of my sin. Help me to know when I am living in a way outside of your will. Help me to mourn over my separation from You. Thank You that when I confess my sin to You, You offer forgiveness and bring comfort.

Related Scriptures

Numbers 32:23; Psalm 32:1–5; Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 55:6–7; 2 Lamentations 3:22–23; Corinthians 7:10; James 4:8–10, I John 1:9