Denial and Pride

"He that covereth his sin shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." The antithesis of this verse is the act of denial, the act of covering ones sin. Denial is the covering of ones sin and it takes many forms. It is the unentreatable spirit hiding in the bushes as God walks in the cool of the day. It is the fig leaf covering that Adam’s nature uses to mask over sin and it is the life of denial that can know no grace.

Job says, "If I covered my transgression as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom…" Why does he say this? Because Adam’s nature denies, covers and hides. Pride is the sin that causes this, "And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together...and they heard the Voice… and …hid themselves." This was the first act of the sinful nature. In contrast, grace comes with ownership. Owning ones sin brings about healing and the Work of the cross in a life. The one who owns his sin and forsakes it knows the blessedness of the one forgiven, of the one whose sin is covered.

When the Lord Jesus cleared the temple of the moneychangers there was evidence of a violent reform. A mess of such consequence was created that everyone in the vicinity recognized fallow ground had been turned over, repentance had occurred. A facade was not built up about the moneychangers practice such that they could continue but the casual observer would not notice, thus satisfying the appearance of purity. No, a truly revolutionary event occurred. God intervened and change was demanded.

Repentance Must Be Proactive

For the kind of housecleaning that occurred at the beginning and ending of the Lord’s earthly ministry there must be a consuming zeal for the house of God. Today, Christ is walking amongst the candlesticks and the theme of His message is repent. This theme calls the church to repentant action not status quo behavior. It is not simply cessation of bad behavior but correcting and demonstrative turning. He does not knock on the door with a feather nor is He softening His demand with the passing of time. He expects the door to be opened, He expects first works to be done, He expects a rising up and an overcoming to take place.

This has not taken place in San Luis Obispo instead of a proactive corrective repentance there is this pacifist neutrality. A sinful past must be demonstrably cleared before restoration can occur.

The following history asserts this conclusion.

•   Corrective ministry that clears and amends is not occurring.

•   David’s life is not held in account nor is repentance being demanded; conflict of any sort is avoided.

•   Those who have been involved in the tragic history of SLO, where 47 people have left because of ignored sin, are not being called into account.

•   Judy is not being reached out to.

•   Concerns of the saints are not moved upon, they are ignored or at best given lip service.

•   There has never been public rebuke of leadership’s sin; instead a hushed environment was created.

•   When disagreement with this unfaithful leadership is voiced it is put down as quickly as possible.