This is going to be one of my shortest blogs ever, because the teaching should be self-evident to any thoughtful, honest Christian. Hebrews 4:13a says, Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.
So, if God sees everything we do and knows our every thought- this same God by whom we will be judged and with whom we will live for all eternity, why is it we have so little shame over what we do in “private?” Oh, to be sure, like most of you, every day I confess to him my sins. In doing so, we acknowledge not only our sins, but God’s grace to forgive them.
But the question I’ve been asking myself lately is this; Why am I not more conscious of my sins when I’m contemplating them, before I even commit them?” Why don’t I have enough shame and sense of God’s presence and holiness to stop me dead in my tracks, before I ever get to the point where I even need to confess them?
I’m asking this question because when I’m with my friends I am constantly conscious of how I’m coming off in front of them. (Well, I’m usually conscious of that!) I work overtime to act more loving, kind, generous, virtuous and non-judgmental, than I really am in private, where God is my only friend present. Why is that?
I have a theory; I know God is more forgiving than my friends. Sadly, I think that keeps me from fearing God as I should.
So for the next few weeks in my time with God daily, I want to dwell on the idea of fearing God more. I don’t mean working myself up into some kind of panic over what God might do to me, or trying to be more afraid of him. But it’s me living my life out for an audience of one 24/7 and in my imagination watching his eyes, for either a wince, or a smile. Did I please you Lord, or did embarrass you in front of the angels? Did I fear (revere) you enough to not do whatever I was contemplating, and thank you for it? I may blog about it in the future, but that’s not the point. This is between God and me. I know I need to do better with my God and the deity I claim is my friend. How about you?