God Sees ALL

Luke 12:1-3 (NRSV UE)

1 Meanwhile, when the crowd had gathered by the thousands, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

God Sees All

None of us are sinless. We all have done something, are doing something, and will do something that displeases God. Because of our relationship with Christ Jesus we know to repent wholeheartedly and receive complete forgiveness. Even with our repentance, our actions are not without consequences. Secrets have a way of coming out into the public light.

It is not just that people do bad things. It is that when the truth comes out, far too often the individuals involved do not want to accept accountability. They can be hypocritical in their responses.

Their words and actions say “do as I say but not as I do”. There is no humility. There is no true repentance. Apologies, if offered at all, start with “if” instead of having sincere confession and contrition. The issue is only a problem if someone requires an apology and the apology is only given half-heartedly. God, however, does require true repentance.

To be sincere in our apology requires humility and reverence for God. We can be forgiven if we sincerely repent. Even those things that we did thinking that no one would ever discover can be forgiven. We are not the worst thing we have ever done.

Too many people see themselves as the bad things that they have done. They label themselves by mistakes made and poor decisions that they followed. Unfortunately, they do not see a way out of the hole that has been dug for them in the thoughts that they have about themselves. Yet, there is hope.

God loves us. God cares about us. God wants a relationship with us. It is not too late to cast off negative thoughts and see what God sees. We are more than conquerors. We are beloved. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Let us pray for those who feel caught in a cycle of despair because of choices and circumstances in their lives. Pray that they come to see there is more possibility for positive outcomes. Cycles can be broken with God’s help. Petition God on their behalf that they will replace negative images in their minds with powerful pictures of beloved children. Pray that they will know just how much God cares for them even with the weight of past sins on their minds. Let us pray that they cast off labels attached to sins and instead rename themselves children of God.

Let us pray for those who are living in fear that past misdeeds will become public. Stand in the gap for them that they will confess, have accountability, and move past the indiscretion. Pray also for those who refuse to repent even when faced with overwhelming evidence of misdeeds. Ask God to soften their hearts so that defiant spirits will be broken. Let us pray.