November 24, 2009"Don't sweat the small stuff!" Does this statement accurately describe how we should handle issues with God and with others?
Does God ever tell us only to be concerned about "big" sins? No. He doesn't! Every sin, whether big or small, is an offense to our holy God. That's why we must keep short sin accounts with Him.
Every time we sin, we must apply 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."
Notice the little word sins. Separate sins! Little and big ones!
If I'm going to have a clear conscience before God and others, I must learn to confess every sin, whether big or small. Sins of attitude. Sins of action. I need to keep short sin accounts with God!
Acts 24:16 is so important for us to understand. "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men."
We must confess "little sins." Like making a rude, cutting remark to someone. Like being disrespectful to an authority figure. Like lying, stealing, or cheating. Every one of these sins is big to God. To have freedom of spirit in our relationship with God, we must maintain a clear conscience.
A teen guy came up one day. "Pastor, I need to ask your forgiveness for chewing gum."
I thought, Good night. Why ask forgiveness for chewing gum?
He explained that someone had donated new carpet for our bus and requested that the teens not eat candy or chew gum on the bus. I made this a rule. This young man didn't think chewing gum was a sin, but the issue was that he'd disobeyed his authority. In so doing, he'd disobeyed God.
APPLICATION: How about you? Are you concerned about the "little sins" as well as the "big ones"? Ask God to point out any unconfessed sins in your life.
--Craig M. Scott--
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