The Story

When our sin is exposed, the first thing we often want to do is hide. We may make excuses, shift the blame to others, or tell ourselves that what we did was not that serious. But this kind of response usually comes from fear. We fear being rejected, being rebuked, or being punished. But God's kindness calls us to come to Him with hope, not with fear. Jesus Christ bore our guilt, He bore our shame, and He bore God's wrath on the cross. Therefore, those who are in Christ do not need to hide their sins. This does not mean that sin is a small thing, but that our Savior is greater than our sin. When we cover up, excuse, or shift the blame to others, we are forgetting the truth of God's grace. God's grace does not deceive us, but makes us bold to be honest with God. Because of this, when the Holy Spirit makes us see our sin, do not flee, do not deny, and do not excuse, but come to Jesus Christ with a humble heart, because in Him there is sufficient forgiveness and restoration for the sinner always. Dear Holy and merciful Father, I praise you because you have opened the way of forgiveness and restoration through Jesus Christ. Please forgive me when I see my own sin and hide, excuse, or shift the blame to others. Thank you, Jesus Christ, who bore my guilt and shame on the cross. Please let the Holy Spirit make me hate sin, and at the same time, I am confident in His goodness, praying in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.