Return, faithless Israel, declares the Lord. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the Lord; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the Lord your God.
"Acknowledge your guilt"
Oh how hard it is to admit when you are wrong. We point our fingers at others. We declare that there are others worse then us. We crush the hopes of the people around us just trying to shove ourselves above them. And in the process shove their faces into the ground. All to get out of saying the words "I Was Wrong ... I Am Guilty".
For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly execute justice one with another, if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.
After we admit to our sins. To our guilt. Then comes the next part. STOP DOING IT! Yeah I yelled that.
And I'll yell it again: STOP! Then turn. Turn and do good. Don't use the Grace of God as some sort of cover; imagining that you can continue to do evil. Or deceiving yourself into believing that what is evil is good.
Our walk with God happens every day that He has blessed us with. You getup and then plan on how to fight temptations and evil. And plan on how to do the good works of God. Listen to His voice and act on it.
Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.
Everyone can admit that the above list is of good things. And it may be surprising that we have to fight to do them. Fight our own bodies and desires. And fight our culture and its desires. Our flesh is so against God that it will fight your will on being righteous, godly, faithful, loving, steadfast, and gentle.
And it only takes a moment of watching our own culture to see how it seeks glory in filth, evil, adultery, hate, laziness, and anger. And it will work hard to step on you if you stand in its way.
But, be steadfast ... and stand true. Stand for God.
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