Greetings Christ Church Missoula!
Grace to you and Peace!
We’ve been making our way through the 7 reasons why God puts trials in our life from Thomas Boston’s excellent book The Crook in the Lot. Number six is a tough one. Boston says the sixth reason God puts a trial in our life is to bring to the surface hidden sins in our heart. Our verse for meditation is Deuteronomy 8:2, “And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.”
It might be a little disconcerting to think there are latent sins lurking in the darkness of our fallen human nature, waiting to come to the surface. It’s a scary picture. However, the Lord knows exactly what is in our hearts, and it really should be no surprise to us that as long as we have a fallen nature, there will be inclination to sin in some way in the future that we are not currently aware of or struggling with now.
The good news is that God brings these things to the surface precisely so we can confess them, turn from them, and turn to Jesus who is “…faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9 This is the sanctification process, and we take comfort in the truth that God is in charge of it, ensuring its completion for all who are in Christ Jesus.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” I Thessalonians 5:23
His mercy endures forever!
Pastor Flynn