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6 David said the same thing. He said that people are truly blessed when God, without paying attention to their deeds, makes people right with himself.
7 "Blessed are they
whose sins are forgiven,
whose wrongs are pardoned.
8 Blessed is the person
whom the Lord does not consider guilty." — Psalm 32:1–2
*Romans 4.6-8, NCV
"It is always the case that when the Christian looks back, he is looking at the forgiveness of sins."
*Karl Barth (1886-1968), Swiss Theologian
13 God has freed us from the power of darkness, and he brought us into the kingdom [presence] of his dear Son. 14 The Son paid for our sins, and in him we have forgiveness.
*Colossians 1.13-15, NCV
* * *
A new pastor went out one Saturday to visit his community. All went well until he came to one house. It was obvious that someone was home, but no one came to the door, even after the pastor knocked several times. Finally, he took out his card, wrote on the back "Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with me," and put it in the door.
The next day, as the pastor was counting the offering, he found his card in the collection plate. Below his message "Revelation 3:20" was a notation "Genesis 3:10." Opening his Bible to the passage, he let out a roar of laughter, for it read, "And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked."
* * *
Fear is part of our lives. Fear dominates many person's lives. Fear dominates the world. Like Adam, in the Garden of Eden a sign of universal human experience, we can allow fear to keep us in hiding, paralyzed, even separate and hiding from God, Who wants to befriend, help, and comfort us.
Possibly, one of the greatest hindrances to prayer is a feeling of unworthiness before God. Yet, this hindrance is not of God, is not something God wants us to live with.
16So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.
*Hebrews 4.16, CEV
Fear is often linked to shame. The Garden of Eden story has Adam hiding. Before, he felt comfortable walking daily with God. In the Garden of Eden, guilt and shame play a central role.
In one sense we are all guilty, even though we often do not want to admit it. We are like a man caught catching lobsters without a license...
A man was stopped on a beach by a wildlife officer and told he was being issued a fine for taking lobsters without a license. "What do you mean?" said the man. "I didn’t break the law. These two lobsters are my pets. I’m just taking them for a walk."
"You don’t really expect me to believe that do you?" responded the officer. "It’s true" protested the man. "I bring them down here to the beach, and they go in for a swim. When I whistle, they come back." "Really?" said the officer. "Let’s see it, then."
So, the man threw the lobsters into the water, and off they swam. "OK" said the officer. "Now let’s hear you whistle for your lobsters to come back." "Lobsters?" asked the man. "What lobsters?"
So, we can address the shame that keeps us in hiding by being honest about our character and actions. Hiding never solves anything.
Forgiveness opens to healing that can lead us beyond both guilt and shame. Confession is our coming out of hiding. Grace is God's Love healing us and our relationships with others and Him.
* * *
1) Do you feel at peace and comfortable being with God? Explain.
2) Do you have guilt feelings or shame that you need healing of? How might you seek healing?
3) What are modern-day "bushes" persons hide behind from God and others?
4) Have you ever hid from God behind a "bush"? Explain.
5) Think on the following: Confession is our coming out of hiding. Grace is God's Love healing us and our relationships with others and Him.
* * *
*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in the continuance of his work of ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers, or through the Cokesbury on-line store, at www.cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox lives in Punta Gorda, FL, and Clearwater, FL, with his wife, step-son, and two beloved dogs. Brian has an independent writing, workshop, and retreat ministry focused on Christians living as spiritual disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life. He serves the Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a vowed, contemplative life and inspires others to experience a more intimate relationship with God-in-Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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