Stronghold of Secrecy
The Humiliating Secret part 4

...to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (1Cor 4:7)

In Christ, not only do we deny our self determination, we become it's enemy. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other... (see Gal 5:17) And so Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." (Matt 6:24) In him we come against, and destroy, a stronghold for sin in us- the self determined stronghold of secrecy.

The word of God shines brilliantly in mercy for sinners. Paul was ashamed that he persecuted those who are beloved of the Lord (see 1Cor 15:9-10). Peter was ashamed that he denied the Lord (see Matt 26:75). David was ashamed that he committed adultery and murder (see Psalm 51). Not only did they confess their sin to continue in repentance, but they are written down for the world to see.

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. (1Tim 1:15-16)

And we also are to be a letter from Christ, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2Cor 3:3) If the letter of our heart declares to the world, "Here is a good and wise Christian, useful in God's work", it is a useless lie. Every living letter of God's grace reads the same: "God chose me- a foolish, lost, and desperately blind sinner, to display the mercy of his forgiveness, the grace of his love in Christ, toward all who will believe in him."

In Christ, God's precious promises enable us to stand against the self determined stronghold of anxious reasons that have kept our failures hidden. Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. (Pro 28:13) Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. (James 5:1) Following Christ in obedience to the grace of these promises will break the stronghold of secrecy, and make room for the humble peace of Jesus to strengthen our hearts.

Lord Jesus, grant me courage, even in my weakness, to trust you. Grant that I would walk with you in obedience to your promise, to humiliate and destroy the stronghold of secrecy. Then, in the freedom of your light, make me a display of your perfect patience, a living letter of good news to those who will believe in you.

Today's very great and precious promise

"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (see Mark 2:17)

You have God's Word on it.