Rev. A.J. Ogden

For those who are born again believers, it is good for us to take inventory of our own imperfect lives. We must be sure we really want to know how imperfect we really are in God’s sight, and be willing to change as he commands.

In Psalm 139:23-24 David had the right idea about finding out just how sinful he was when he asked God to examine him, check him out, take spiritual search light and shine it on his wicked heart. He said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

David knew, as you and I need to understand, our hearts will sometimes lie. We find ourselves trying to justify some sin, trying to cover up some evil deed and trying to minimize evil. Our hearts are so wicked and sinful we don’t understand how much wickedness dwells within. But we are transparent to God. He sees all. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Only God can.

1 John 1:9-10 tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Human nature wants to lie about our sin problem. But David knew as he studied God’s words, that he was a sinner. He was not perfect but he had a perfect God who gave him a perfect salvation. And so are we who have been washed in the blood of Jesus. Imperfect yes, but we follow a perfect Lord and as we grow in grace and knowledge of him, we become more like Him.