New York was shocked on Monday afternoon by the news that Gov. Elliot Spitzer was a client of a prostitution ring. A federal probe led to the conclusion that Gov. Spitzer was a regular customer, so-called "Client 9." So, what makes this story about the 'world's oldest profession' so shocking? The hypocrisy factor! The Governor had a reputation as "Mr. Clean." When he was the state's attorney general, he took on corruption and even prosecuted two prostitution rings in the city.
Believer, this story serves as a lesson for us. When we take the name of Jesus Christ, identifying ourselves as His followers, we also invite greater scrutiny of our lives. The Word urges us to "lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." (Ephesians 4:1, NLT) Our sin need not be so sensational as the Governor's in order to disgrace our Lord. We need only to be unkind, bitter, or rude to cause others to remark, "and he calls himself a Christian?" A few years ago, there was a saying that made its way through churches and onto bumper stickers that offered a kind of feeble excuse for the sins of Believers: "I'm not perfect, just forgiven." So, is that true? Certainly. But, we who are marked by the Spirit as sons of God have an obligation to pursue holiness, to honor the One who is our Father. The way we live must be proof of the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Habitual sin must be past tense so that we reflect the Lord's glorious goodness.
"So, Jerry, since I am prone to failure I guess the best thing is to keep my faith under wraps." Not at all! As imperfect humans, we live honorably when we live authentically and transparently. We do not pretend that we, by our own determination, can be better than we are; nor do we cover up our sins with 'holy talk' and elaborate religiosity. When we find that we have lived selfishly, or lovelessly, or lustfully, or greedily, or hatefully; in any way that is incompatible with our status as children of God; we admit it (confession), ask for forgiveness from God and others, and deal with it with the help of the Spirit to bring about genuine transformation. As the Word says, "clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Romans 13:14, NIV)
Is there a hole in your integrity? Is some sin hidden away in your life that eats away at your peace with God, that brings guilt and shame to you when you remember it? You can be clean again! You can be free of guilt!
Remember King David's sin? He was devoted to God, so much so that the Word calls him "a man after God's own heart." But he sinned terribly - stealing another man's wife, plotting to have Uriah killed, and covering it all up with a quick marriage to Bathsheba. For a full year, he thought the murder and adultery a thing of the past, until the day that God's prophet showed up in court to tell a story. "There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man’s own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest." David was furious. "As surely as the Lord lives," he vowed, "any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity." Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man!" (2 Samuel 12:1-7, NLT)
David then sought a place of forgiveness, penning the words of Psalm 51, one of the Bible's most beautiful prayers of confession and contrition. Take these excerpts of David's prayer with you today and invite the Spirit to make your life a thing of beauty that reflects the glory of your Lord.
"Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me." (Psalm 51:1-3, NKJV)
"Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit." (Psalm 51:10-12, NKJV)
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:17, NKJV)
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