2. Be Honest
Sometimes it can seem like God is some distant powerful being. It can seem like he is a powerful, disciplining, and scary God. We do have reason to fear him because he is so powerful. Yet, we must remember that he is a loving God. So, while he is powerful, he chooses to love us. He does not need to, but he does. We can often feel like we should hide the truth from God as if he will be unforgiving and vengeful, but if we humbly come before God and ask for forgiveness, he will grant it.
In Genesis 3:8 it says, "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid form the Lord God among the trees of the garden." Adam and Eve thought that they could hide from God and that they could hide their
sin. But, God knew exactly what had happened. In John 16:29-30 the disciples say to Jesus, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God." and in Psalm 94:11 it says, "The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile." God knows all and sees all. There is nothing we can hide from him, not even ourselves. Jonah tried to run from God and what God had commanded him to do, but God did not let up. The story continues until Jonah finally gives in and does what he is commanded. Jonah tried to flee from God, but it was futile. God wanted to teach Jonah something and therefore change him to be more compassionate on people who do wrong. We must be honest with God. He knows we are not perfect and that we sin. He knows that we struggle and are weak. He knows how rebellious we can be and that we often run from what he has for us. We run because we want to be in control and not Him. But, we do make mistakes. We are imperfect from the brokenness of the the world and our constant leaning towards sin. that is why we need God even more. He is perfect he does not make mistakes.
Would you rather be in charge of your life when you know you will make mistakes or would you rather hand your life and everything involved over to the One Who never makes mistakes? It is vital that we tell God the truth. We must be honest with him about our sin and our mistakes. When you fall and struggle to get up, do you just keep trying to hopelessly get up or do you call out for help? Let God be that help when you fail. He will be faithful to help, comfort, and heal you. He will make you grow stronger and he will remove sin from your life. But, if we are not honest with Him, how can we start to grow? We have to accept his help and how we begin that process is by requesting help.
We also need to be honest with God because if we are not, then we are being dishonest. Leviticus 19:11 says, "Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another." By not being honest with God, we are lying and therefore sinning. Why sin more than you already have? He already knows all you have done. He isn't going to be shocked. What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of
God destroying you? Yes. Sin has consequences that we cannot escape. However, worry more for your eternal soul and be honest with God. By asking for forgiveness, God will forgive you and then you must forgive yourself. In this way, your soul is safe.
Do not forget this last important note on being honest with God. It is the most important part. God is like a friend. When you pray, you can and must be honest to Him. He does not gossip or lie. He does not hate you or say things like, "I'm not going to be her friend! She lied. She hated that other girl. She is impure. She is angry. She is sooooo sinful. I don't want to talk to her." I know it might sound ridiculous that God would say such things, but so often we find ourselves treating God like that. He is nothing like that though. In fact, he is more of the opposite. Instead, He is more likely to say something like, "If only she would talk to me and tell me about her sin, then I could help her. I could bring her healing and comfort. I could strengthen her and be there for her. I could pull her up out of the dark pit that she is stumbling in and bring her into the light.
I could be her friend. She could see my deep love for her." God wants to show you His love for you. His love is deeper than the depth of space. Our minds can never fully comprehend His love for us. The Bible is the slow unfolding of His love for us. Each book is like a love letter and they all point to the most pivotal moment where His Son died for us. Matthew 26:39 Jesus cries out to God the Father and prays, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Jesus didn't have to die on the cross. He could have walked away from it all, but in that moment he demonstrated honesty. He did not want to have to be tortured. He knew what was about to happen and He did not want to, but it was the only way to save us from our sin. So, He did it. He went and was beaten. A crown of thorns was pushed onto His head and he hung on a cross. He died a death that was meant to be as painful as possible. Do not be afraid to be honest with the One who went through all that to save you. He loves you more than the pain of your sin. So, He bore it on the cross. I say again, do not be afraid to be honest with the One Who loves you that much. Someone with that kind of love will never abandon you or hurt you. He will love you and heal you. All you have to do is pray.
Related Scripture:
Genesis 3:8 "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid form the Lord God among the trees of the garden."
John 16:29-30 "Then Jesus' disciples said, "Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God."
Psalm 94:11 "The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile."
The book of Jonah
Leviticus 19:11 says "Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another."
Matthew 26:39 "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.""
Matthew 26:53-54 "Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
Proverbs 16:13 "Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right."
Proverbs 11:3 "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity."
1 Chronicles 29:17 "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you."
Proverbs 15:3 "The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good."