To Own Up Entirely to My Wrongs
Patient Father,
When I wrong others, sometimes I fail to take full ownership of my words and actions. When I deflect or diminish my behavior, I am not only downplaying my own role, but also diminishing the damage sin causes. Moreover, it is amazing how exceptional I become at crafting words to sound apologetic, while managing to avoid a genuine apology the whole time. Finally, when I avoid taking full responsibility for my sin, it’s as if I am communicating that grace isn’t really all that necessary, or at least not for “the little things,” as I imagine them to be.
Let your Law do its work and expose the ugly and condemning reality of my sinful wrongdoing. Let it leave me with no place to hide so that I have no choice but to come entirely clean. Let me do so because I have complete confidence in the gospel, which assures me that not only have my sinful wrongdoings been forgiven, but so also have my half-hearted and incomplete confessions. Create in me a pure heart that recognizes both how much my heart needs purifying, and how completely you have purified it by your perfect sacrifice.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.