[The Mayor]

June 18, 2004

Paint Specks

Read: 1 John 1:5-2:2

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9

Bible In One Year: Nehemiah 10-11; Acts 4:1-22

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Pushing a paint roller high overhead had produced a shower of fine droplets that left tiny white specks on my glasses. Although they were noticeable to others, I was not aware of them. But one morning as I came to work, the angle of the bright sunlight through the lenses of my glasses suddenly made those tiny specks visible and annoying.

So it is with some of our small moral imperfections. Others can see them, but we can't. Then, as we study God's Word, the true light of the Lord Jesus Christ shines on us, and our moral flaws become alarmingly visible. His pure character, genuine love, and unmixed motives reveal specks of sinfulness in everything we do. Little white lies, selfish anger, small hypocrisies, and muddy motives stand out vividly. And they are in all of us to some degree.

How perceptive was the apostle John! He wrote, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" (1 John 1:8). But thank God, "If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (2:1). When we confess our sins, He intercedes with the Father on our behalf.

When we confess our shortcomings, God cleanses us—even those tiny specks we don't always see. —Dennis De Haan

Search out in me all hidden sin,
And may Thy purity within
So cleanse my life that it may be
A temple wholly fit for Thee. —Swallen

Detecting sin is the first step to deliverance from sin.

[KangarooJacqui]

Yo Mayor, I just checked out your homepage (I have no idea what took me so long, so don't ask!) and not only are you wise, you're a "looker" as well...

*Purrrrrr* if I was a few years older... (just kidding. I know you have a wife and kids, and people have called me a lot in my time, but never a homebreaker!)

Still... surely I'm allowed to admire, from across the world? :-)

[JustAmy]

Good morning, Rus.

My wish for you is a fun-filled, relaxing week-end.

Thank you for bringing us the scripture lesson every morning.