1. I felt God's discipline when I committed adultery in the Spirit by putting others before the Lord. Actually this is idolatry. I felt guilty and ashamed through reading and doing Ezekiel 16 Devotionals.
2. Honestly I don't respond quickly with repentance when disciplined by God because I believe I have to respond by saying a short prayer: Lord forgive me and wash me clean. I am supposed to respond with repentance not prayer. He has forgiven me I just need to embrace it.
3. I have experienced the new compassion of God through my care provider reassuring me that I am in trouble but they will not call the police when I did all four: committed fraud twice, slammed around and contacted my doctor when she filed a law against me.
Jeremiah 3:12-13 NIV
[12] Go, proclaim this message toward the north: “ 'Return, faithless Israel,' declares the Lord, 'I will frown on you no longer, for I am faithful,' declares the Lord, 'I will not be angry forever. [13] Only acknowledge your guilt---you have rebelled against the Lord your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me,' ” declares the Lord.
Zechariah 10:6 NIV
[6] “I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.
Luke 15:3-24 NIV
[3] Then Jesus told them this parable: [4] “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? [5] And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders [6] and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' [7] I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. [8] “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? [9] And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' [10] In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” [11] Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. [12] The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. [13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. [17] “When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' [20] So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
I'll be honest with you sin is no secret. We can't just sweep it under the carpet for a few reasons: 1. It was already done and God saw it, 2. We can't hide it from anyone and 3. Once the damage is done it's done but there are new mercies every morning by God! Regardless, James makes it clear that we need to confess our sin one to another and pray for each other that you might be healed.
So the next time someone says to you, come on let's do it and nobody will know, remember God knows and feels deeply concerned about us and doesn't want us to follow that person if they are going to lead you into that action.
Blessings!
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