Beware of being wrong half-heartedly or weak surrender

written by Stephan Joubert

The Dutch name for Cafe Latte translates directly as 'Coffee Wrong.' It sounds like someone in Holland thought that coffee shouldn't be made in this way. In any case, to recognize that you acted in the wrong way does not sit easily with too many folks. How many times have you heard someone simply and bravely admit: "What I did was wrong"? It is much more likely that you heard something like: "I was wrong, but..."

We know all too well what other people do wrong. We can confess their sins on their behalf for hours on end... behind their backs of course! But we ourselves are never fully wrong, even when we are! We usually acted only a little bit wrong... because we have a very good excuse ready. Maybe that is why we find it so tough to bow down before God. I am not talking about a slight, polite knee-bend in his direction on Sundays. Most people do that comfortably. I am talking about that daily bowing down before God with humble and broken hearts that we read about in James 4 or 1 Peter 5.

We don't want to continually admit to God "I was wrong" without any "but's." We are even less keen on truly surrendering our lives to Him. No matter how many times we sing about giving ourselves, having no personal possessions, surrendering ourselves, or placing our lives on the altar, we are quick to reclaim our lives when we walk out of the church after the service. Fact is, God knows everything about us, from our half-hearted remorse to our mediocre sacrifices in his service. He knows us through and through. Luckily God also has good medicine for our weak admissions of guilt and our idle surrender. He calls it forgiveness and grace. Forgiveness, when you arrive at the heavenly door in Jesus' Name, is always complete. In the same way, grace is equal to a daily starting over and starting fresh in his Name. Seize this today with both hands.

Peace

Stephan Joubert