Friday, December 16, 2011

Digging Deeper James 5:16a with Points to Ponder

Friday. Can't be Friday already, can it? Just one week until Christmas - I trust that in the midst of your Christ-mas preparations, you have stopped to adore The Baby born in Bethlehem that died on Calvary to save you and me. If you have not, would you make a commitment to do that today before your head hits the pillow tonight? Just take a few minutes to ponder the Christ child and the true meaning of Christ-mas.

This week we have been pondering James 16:
James 5:16a Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

Points to Ponder
Confession is not easy because it requires humility to admit our sin, our offense against God and perhaps others. I find it difficult enough to confess my sins to God (Who already knows them) but it is even more difficult to confess my sins to someone else. But when I do, I find it very disheartening when others take my confession so lightly. Often times, the other person minimizes what I'm saying as if it is a minor thing - this sin of mine. My experience has been that people are not comfortable with transparency.

I think we are so uncomfortable with sin and the appropriate guilt feelings that accompany sin that we are quick to dismiss it so the person can stop feeling so badly. We do a great disservice in so doing. It does not help that person to have their confession taken lightly. When God has brought conviction on a person and that person confesses their sins to another (us) we need to love that person enough to listen, really listen, maybe even asking some questions to help them know we care. We also need to take time to pray with them and for them.

In the hustle and bustle of the season, let us not rush past people who want to know someone cares enough to stop and listen, to love them with the gospel of Jesus Christ who offers forgiveness and cleansing from all sin for those who believe.
Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend -

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America's KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

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