Iniquity—Sin—Transgression—Part Two
Posted on February 17, 2015 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call
“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:2
Yesterday, I began by telling you I’ve gained weight. What I left out of the story yesterday was the fact that I got up on the scale four separate times. Even though I wasn’t surprised that I’d gained weight, I also didn’t want it to be true. So, I guess my logic was, I’ll get on it until the number changes. Silly, I know, but mostly sad.
The words I shared which initially convicted me were:
“Some mornings I look in the mirror and scare myself, but there’s something much less comical and much more destructive that I should be afraid of. It’s the dark condition of my heart.” *
He also used the words: Iniquity. Sin. Transgression.
Sisters, these words together basically mean I am willing to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, and how I want to do it. With every act of gluttony (yep, I said it), I am sinning.
Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary puts it— like this: “The voluntary departure from a known rule…or duty prescribed by God…neglect of known duty, all evil thoughts, purposes, words and desires, whatever is contrary to God’s commands or law…the act of passing over or beyond any law or rule of moral duty.”
Dear ones, all three words are from Scripture, from the heart of God, and give me no “out” as they accurately describe the “why” and “how” of my dark condition and the reason I am so overweight. You see, on any given day at any given moment I am willing to eat more than my body needs for fuel or satisfaction just because I want to.
I thank God that His Word, while rebuking, convicting, challenging etc., is also redemptive. It’s always for good and not for evil. I thank God for His grace that will lead me to experience personal change, to grab hold of tangible victory in this and all areas of my life. I thank God for His sanctifying grace and truth that are never going to stop speaking, teaching, preaching to my wayward heart.
The devotion concluded with this prayer. May it be so, that we find help in our times of need.
“Thank you, Sovereign Father, for your unshakeable plan. Thank you, Sacrificial Son, for standing in our place. Thank you, Warrior Spirit, for your empowering presence. In you, Triune Lord, we really find help and hope for personal change.” *
Beloved, I hope and pray for anyone of you who is held captive by iniquity, sin, or transgression to draw near to God today. Chose TODAY to draw near to God’s purifying, empowering, rescuing grace!
Stephanie D. Paul
Stephanie serves as part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America’s Keswick as Director of Women of Character. She has been married for over 30 years to Sesky Paul who is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. They have two grown children. Her single focus in ministry at Keswick is to image Christ in grace and truth to wounded and hurting women, encouraging them to make Jesus the truest Lover of their soul and the One in whom all hope lies.
* http://www.paultripp.com/wednesdays-word