sarkakaiaima

Recently I heard a story of a family friend who was a believer and is now in the Lord’s Presence due to the passing of death. At one point in his life he realized that he needed the Lord Jesus to save him. He told a friend, “My heart is black and full of sin.” He knew that he needed the grace the Gospel proclaims and did embrace the Lord Jesus and he sincerely sought to be the Lord’s disciple the remainder of his life. What is so striking about this man and his testimony is the simple and powerful godly “sincerity” evidenced in many different ways. The story of his life and his impact upon others demonstrated for me this truth: Sincerity is indeed the key to understanding how to please God. For we cannot rely on ourselves to achieve moral perfection in our thoughts or behavior, nor can we utilize any other natural gifting or inheritance in this life from our family or social position to please God. Sin has ravaged us and corrupted our being to the core. But God is faithful and...

            One observation I have consistently come back to, whether regarding myself or other people, is that human beings tend to withdraw from affliction or hardship. Addictions to all kinds of substances or to physical stimuli or aspects of human relations can be explained (at least partially) by this fact of human behavior. We have a fundamental choice to make in life: Grow up by facing afflictions or remain immature and avoid being honest, open and willing to face the truth about ourselves our actual life circumstances.   In 12-Step recovery groups it is taught that one must come out of denial about one’s behavior, attitudes and actual life circumstance. “We admitted we were powerless over [fill in the blank], that our lives had become unmanageable.” (Step 1) And further, anyone in recovery (who has worked through the 12-step model), will affirm that to find healing from the damage one has done to oneself requires...