Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
(1 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV)
The virus hung on for over a month. My granddaughter caught it first and then generously shared it with me. We could not see the virus, nor could we feel it at first. Once it grabbed ahold of us however, we certainly saw and felt the results of this invisible warring germ.
During the many long, weary days of battling the illness I began to think of how unknown sin in our lives is very much like a virus: invisible. It is invisible because we do not see it as sin and we do not recognize its’ consequences as wrong for we feel our actions are righteous, just as the apostle Paul believed his persecution of the Christians was righteous and in line with God’s will.
Paul’s unknown sin was revealed to him by Christ in a very dramatic and effective way (See Acts 9:1-19).
Likewise, we too may experience the grace of our Lord, in regard to unknown sin in our lives, when we habitually ask Him to reveal any ignorance or unbelief within our own hearts and minds. Unlike Paul, the opening of our eyes to God’s truth may not be dramatic, but it will be extremely effective if we yield ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit’s enlightening power.
Viruses enter our bodies, unseen and unheard. They creep into our systems and their consequences range from mild to deadly. Unknown sin creeps into our hearts and minds silently as well.
Our upbringing, the books we read, the media presentations we view, the friends we associate with, the experiences of life all have the power to deeply affect us, sometimes unwittingly, to unknown sin. Let us therefore be wise and prostrate our lives daily before the Lord, through prayer and scripture reading, “…for the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 NIV).
Viruses are everywhere and can strike us at any time. The virus of unknown sin is likewise. We may not be able to avoid being exposed to either, but in regard to unknown sin there is something we can do to guard against its creeping hold upon us. Let us therefore choose to keep our Bibles open and active within our lives that those wonderful words of life within, may keep us walking in righteousness and truth.
Prayer: Father God, if there be any wicked way in me today that I am unaware of, open my eyes that I might see and my heart to confess and turn from it. In Christ’s name. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada