You Gotta Have Heart

(Pro 15:14 KJV) The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Our thinking is molded by our “mind” (3820).  Perhaps the KJV gets it better with “heart”, which is the most frequent translation of the word in both versions.  This is one of the great truths dealing with our salvation and why it is of grace rather than works.  God works His miracle on our inner man.  Our hearts are cleansed.  Our being is redeemed and our minds are transformed.  It is not something we can bring about by our actions.

I believe in free will so I understand this to mean that

(1Jn 1:9 KJV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So?  If we have confessed and been forgiven then our inner man is in a condition to move forward in our understanding of things eternal.  Otherwise they make no sense. 

Confession

(Proverbs 28:13 KJV)  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

The believer “confesses” (3034) his sins.  Is this to God or to man?  It doesn’t seem clear to me.  I would guess that it could be to either or both depending on the situation.  When it comes to confessing to people it is easy to abuse the concept.  One of the brainwashing techniques of Marxism is to have people sit around and confess to having thoughts that violate the doctrine of the Marxist religion.  It is important to confess something.  If you don’t confess enough you are confronted.  It is sick and manipulative.  We can get that way in the church looking for juicy sins that are none of our business.

It is possible to get too concerned about this with God.  He wants us to confess our sins, yes.  He wants us to be open, yes.  He does not want us to get so nervous about missing one that we become a nervous wreck.  If we are open the Holy Spirit will bring to mind what we need to deal with.

So?  Sin happens.  Repentance is the cure.  Remember that I John 1:9 was written to believers.

(1 John 1:9 KJV)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

And don’t forget that second part. 

The Second Chance

(Proverbs 8:5 KJV)  O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

I don’t know if we think about it much but one of the underlying principles of American culture is the second chance.  Our entire educational system seems to be based on the idea that for many reasons some people bloom late or have hurdles to overcome.  Thus we have remedial classes, GED, junior colleges and a myriad of tutoring programs.  Although many people don’t want to admit it, people who fail often have no one to blame but themselves.

The same applies to our spiritual lives.  Of course the ultimate is

(1 John 1:9 KJV)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

This was written to Christians, not the world.  This verse approaches another level.  Solomon is saying that “wisdom” (6195 KJV, 3820 NASB) is available to anyone who will seek it.

So?  I need to be reminded of this when I am sitting around feeling sorry for myself.  It doesn’t hurt at other times either. 

Snares Work

(Proverbs 29:6 KJV)  In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

Notice that this does not say “transgression” (6588) (28:2) traps a righteous man.  The proclamation is to “evil” (7451b) men. 

What does that mean in practical terms?  Today the message I am getting is that when the righteous sin they recognize it as sin, repent of that sin and confess it to God.  The result?  Let’s look at a verse you should all know.

(1 John 1:9 KJV)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

How do the evil respond?  In denial.  Read the next verse in I John:

(1 John 1:10 KJV)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

They are trapped in their sins and the denial keeps them there.

So?  Do a little check.  Only you and God can read your fine print.  He is waiting to see which direction you  choose to go.