Confess and Run (Proverbs 16:6)

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. So what is the defining truth of a Christian? How are we set apart?

"By mercy and love, truth and fidelity [to God and man, not by sacrificial offerings] iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil." Proverbs 16:6, Amplified

There is no secret to becoming a great Christian. There is no magic formula on how to live a holier life. So what must be done? Two things.

First iniquity must be purged from the heart. The definition of purge according to the New Oxford American Dictionary is this, "to rid (someone) of an unwanted feeling, memory, or condition, typically giving a sense of cathartic release."How does one rid themselves of sin? Through confession and atonement. First we openly confess our shortcomings and sinfulness and need for a Savior. As sinners, we were openly defiant to God, now we must be openly obedient to Him. After confession can come atonement. This is the acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; one cannot come to God unless he is covered by the blood. Think of atonement as being "At Onement" with God: we were separated from God, but now we are reconciled to God. In the verse above, we read that this purging of iniquity from the heart is not done through sacrifice because the blood o bulls and goats was never sufficient enough. But the blood of Jesus Christ lasts forever. "For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purity of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience fro dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:13-14, NKJV) And the Bible also says, "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sin." (Hebrews 10:4, NKJV) What began as a ritual and liturgy was abolished through the sacrifice of Christ because it was insufficient.

Secondly one must depart from and avoid evil. After confession must come change. the verbal must become manifest in action. If we truly confess Christ, then we must show it through our lifestyles. Is just verbal confession enough? Can we just open our mouths and confess Christ just to receive "fire insurance"? Maybe. But who would ever believe that you were really in love? Think of it like a personal relationship here on earth with the opposite sex. You find a girl (or boy) and you confess you love for them in the quad at school. Now everyone knows that you said you love her (or him). But you never give her (or him) flowers, candy, love notes or any other trinkets. There is no physical manifestation of your love. In fact others find you in the gym holding hands with another, they find you between the buildings kissing another. Your confession to them means nothing; your actions have violated your words and now no one believes. Avoidance of sin is possibly one of the hardest things for a Christian to do. Sin comes in all shapes and sizes, evident and ambiguous. But as we physically and spiritually turn ourselves from sin to Christ, then our actions become the manifestation of our confession.