Confessions of a Church: Equal Scales

The Psalm writer wrote:  Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law. As we come before a Holy God and hear his word, may we have eyes open to the wonderful and fearful things from his law. May it move us to repent and seek forgiveness, fear disobedience, and live in light of the grace we have received.   This is the word of God.  It is eternally true and applicable for all of life.

Proverbs 20:1-10 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise. The terror of a king is like the growling of a lion; He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life. Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel. The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, So he begs during the harvest and has nothing. A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out. Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, But who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in his integrity— How blessed are his sons after him. A king who sits on the throne of justice Disperses all evil with his eyes. Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin”? Differing weights and differing measures, Both of them are abominable to the Lord.

Whether at work, a Sodomite Pride festival, knocking on a neighbors door, or in our own home, as Christians, we are always surrounded by sinners in desperate need of the gospel. Sin in our own hearts. Sin in the lives of our neighbors. Sin in friends and co- workers. Sin in our children, and spouse. For me, it is oftentimes easy to recognize the sin of strangers and to be quick to pass judgement on that sin. It is easy for me to go to a pride event and preach to the sodomites, or to blast someone’s heresy on facebook, folks I don’t even know, but cower at the thought of sharing the gospel with a co-worker, or close friend. How often do we see sin in our own lives, or the life of a loved one, make excuses for it, or turn a blind eye to “keep the peace”, which is really just a codeword for cowardice, but are quick to knock on a door or step up to the mike at a sodomite rally and call people to repentance? Differing weights and differing measures, both of them are abominable to the Lord. It makes us a hypocrite, guilty of using differing weights and measures, when we boldly rail against sin that exists at a distance from us, but shrink back when it’s close, with friends, and family. The Lord hates sin, and so should we, and it starts in our own heart. We will not judge righteously while there is a large plank in our own eye. What sin must you confess and repent of this morning? Lust of the flesh? Lust of the eyes? Pride of life? Cowardice? Let us go to the throne of God, cry out Abba Father!, and beg for mercy and grace. Please kneel as we confess our sins, knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins.

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. Please be merciful to us sinners. Please grant us broken and contrite hearts that are responsive to Your Law, that we might repent. Father, we are often quick to recognize the sin in others, but fail to put to death the sin in our own flesh. Father, frequently we seek to have a false sense of peace in our homes and relationships with friends, and fail to expose and repent of the sin in our own camp. Father, this use of differing weights and measures makes us hypocrites. Please forgive us of our sin against you. Please create within us a clean heart and a right spirit. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation, and uphold us with a willing spirit, so that we can teach transgressors Your ways, and watch as sinners return to you. It’s in the name of Your Son Jesus, our Lord and Savior that we pray, Amen.
Listen now to the comforting assurance of the grace of God, promised in the gospel to all that believe: 

God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. | Ephesians 2:4-6

 To all those who thus repent and seek Jesus Christ for their salvation, your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lift Up Your Hearts!

(From the July 1st, 2018 liturgy of Sovereign King Church.  Written by Aaron Sabie.)