John 15:14 KJV "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."

Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit speaking to you about a hidden sin? One that you forgot about or chose to forget about, and have never fully confessed and repented of?

I’m not referring to the times the devil wants us to remember things that we know we have confessed, just to try and distract us and make us feel guilt or shame, but about something that only the Holy Spirit knows is the right time for you to repent of.

It might be unforgiveness that you hold on to, but you got comfortable with the distance between you and others. Or something you did wrongfully but tried to justify that you have reacted correctly and should have no worries about it, but somehow the shame still clings to you, you are just too asleep to notice.

I’ve had many such wake-up calls these past 11 years since being born-again. I would literally wake up at 2:30 am in the morning and feel the conviction in my spirit, that I should repent. The best antidote was not to stew about it, but to lay it at the feet of Jesus and accept his forgiveness.

Can you relate to that?

Genesis 35:2 KJV "Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you and be clean, and change your garments:"

Before we can enter the next phase of our journey, we need to have a good look at our spiritual clothing. Just like Jacob said to his household to put on clean clothing before they left and moved to Bethel, so we must put on clean clothing before we can move on. Before this, Jacob himself had to get right with God, so that his family could follow his example.

“Throughout the Bible, garments symbolize character. The inward life of the unregenerate is compared to a polluted garment.” (Barnhouse)

Sin causes our clothing to be blemished and filthy. By confessing our sins, we are purified by the blood of Jesus and washed as white as snow.

What action step do you need to take today to put you in right standing with God?

Having conviction about our sins leads us into greater obedience to God. God doesn’t use it to condemn us, but rather to teach us that he loves us and wants us to be in right standing with Him. Through Jesus we can come boldly to the throne room to speak with our Father, but if there are any hidden sins it will be a barrier to our communication.

In Hebrews 12 we learn the following key things about why God, as our shepherd, teaches us obedience by disciplining us:

• God disciplines us and corrects us because we are his children (Verses 5 – 6)
• God’s discipline leads to everlasting life and holiness (Verse 9 – 10)
• God’s discipline leads to a peaceful harvest of righteousness (Verse 11)
• God’s discipline makes us strong (Verse 12 – 13)

How can you lean into the convictions about sin today, and instead of carrying guilt and shame, step into the loving arms of God with a repentant heart and be set free?

In what areas of your life do you feel that God is training you to become more like Jesus?

Romans 8:1 KJV "There in therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

May you have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying and trust in God who has begun a good work within you, not to condemn you, but to produce a peaceful harvest within you that leads to everlasting life. May every thing you do bring glory to the name of the Lord!

Catherina