Thy Will Be Done

I believe we are all aware of our own sinfulness. I don't believe that comes as a surprise to anyone. If it does, then there's a lot more we need to chat about. But I do believe we need to realize the depravity, pervasiveness, and grievousness of our sins. And that things we don't think of as sin are really sin indeed. We've numbed ourselves to sin to be able to cope with it. And I don't think that's the best way to deal with it.

Stealing, lying, killing are obvious sins. Encouraging my self-will, my independence, my over-wrought passions, my inner selfish, arrogant, or prideful thought-life are a little less obvious. And those are where the stealing, lying, and killing begin. Don't you see it?

I'm realizing over and over again that it always comes down to a heart issue. And that's where it really sits. Jesus told us that over and over again. Somehow we think we can put rules of order around our heart to protect it. But we can't. Sin creeps in. It gets to us, even when we have the best intentions. After all, have you ever rationalized doing the wrong thing for the right reason? The wrong thing is always the wrong thing. Truth is truth. It doesn't EVER change. Right is right. It never moves.

But let's focus in on the more insidious. Our own piety. Scripture says to do things with excellence. But do you realize that that very command, when we do it and yet not surrendered to God, can be sinful in itself?! The minute we think we are good, or have done right, we've failed. We've sinned. Because we have not denied ourself! We have glorified ourselves over glorifying God. And that's idolatry.

Moreover, the minute we pray and ask for something (for ourselves or for someone else) and do not end the prayer with something to the effect of "not my will, but thy will" then we are in sin.

After all, that's what Jesus did, even in Gethsemene - at probably one of the most grievous moments, "... Yet not as I will, but you will".

And that's even what He taught us to pray:

9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]'
14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.


Our supplication must always be followed by our submission.

All for now,
Lisa