With A Sister
The story that follows is true. It is a story that demonstrates our need for Jesus , and his covering for our lives. It displays the extent of our
self-delusion, try to conceal sin. We may recall that the Lord told David a story to help him see himself and confess his sin. May we
recall from the story below what Jesus said: “there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed.” – Matt.10:26 Mark 4:22, Luke 8:17, 12:2.
It happened in the San Francisco bay area in the early 60's. A handsome young preacher for a Church of Christ committed adultery with a
sister the congregation. Subsequently she became sick, severely sick to the point of feeling her life was threatened. In that condition she
told to her husband what she had done. He became understandable angry. He called the preacher and told him of his wife's confession.
It is likely that the preacher expressed sorrow for what he had done. The husband told the preacher that if he did not confess his sin the
coming Sunday, that he would get up and confess it for him.
Sunday came and the preacher preached. At the end of the sermon, he extended an invitation to respond to the Lord. But just before he
concluded the invitation, he announced that he had a confession to make. He admitted that he had committed adultery with a sister in the
congregation. He said he was deeply sorry for his sin and the pain that it had brought to this sister and her husband. But he did not mention
her name. Then he concluded the invitation and the congregation stood and sung. He was not prepared for what followed. Four or five other
sisters came forward – they all thought it was them. Then the preacher had to get back up and enlarge his confession.
This man's basic problem was lack of faith in God. He failed to believe that the Lord sees everything . That is what each of us are tempted
to think. Failing to believe God sees, makes us more vulnerable to shameful behavior. This man had no sorrow toward God (2 Cor. 7:10)
for what he had done. His sorrow was only for himself – sorry he had been caught. If he had sorrow toward God, his confession would
have been more inclusive than, “with a sister”. Perhaps he later had true sorrow toward God. The Lord knows.
What about us? Is our pride more precious than his peace? Jesus did not die the death of the cross to leave us hiding from God.
He bore our shame that he might bring us to God. It was by Satan's lie that sin entered creation, and lies must be broken to set us free.
None of our shame is beyond the shame of the cross, by which we are called to be crucified unto the world. Our transformation stops
if we refuse to confess our sin. Each of us decides whether to keep our pride – or surrender it to receive Jesus' life – we cannot possess both.
“Follow after peace with all men, and the holiness without which, no man shall see the Lord.” – Hebrews 12:14
“ Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice;
and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” Daniel 4;27