For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light - Mark 4:22
After having heard it all, this is the conclusion: Fear God, and keep his commands, because this applies to everyone. God will certainly judge everything that is done. This includes every secret thing, whether it is good or bad - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
This week saw a surprise report released which shed light on some rather “dark” deeds. The data was obtained by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in Washington DC, which has been working with more than 140 media organizations on its biggest ever global investigation. Dubbed “The Pandora Papers,” it documents information that points to world leaders, billionaires and other community-minded leaders who made billions - all while in public office - by sorting their finances through offshore companies. Of course, all those involved have denied wrongdoing. It’s that age-old defense of deny, deny, deny.
Included in the investigative results are Russian President Vladimir Putin and Jordan's King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, who are among some 35 current and former leaders linked to the files. Both Putin and Al-Hussein have issued statements saying they have done nothing wrong and that there is nothing for them to hide. Reportedly, some of the leaked documents show the Jordanian leader alone secretly spent more than $100,000,000 on establishing a property empire in the UK and US since he took power in Jordan in 1999.
Have you ever thought you could get away with something? Come on, be honest. We all have. Shoot, I (Steve) get away with working only one hour a week. At least that’s what my father-in-law says…and maybe some from the church now that I think about it.
Ever since we have been little we all have been looking to deny doing anything wrong or at the very least try to blame someone else for our faults and shortcomings. After all, none of us like being brutally honest when we have failed. None of us like to admit we are wrong. Nobody wants to take the blame. No one wants to confess they have sinned.
The opening scriptures above reveal to us one of the more intriguing - if not horrifying - truths in life: the fact that nothing is truly ever hidden; that everything will be revealed. If not now - later. It’s the fundamental reason so many “bad” things are done in the dark of night when no light can shine on the evil deed. It’s also why people instinctively try to cover up their mistakes - we like to hide what we don’t want others to see. “Just don’t get caught!”
But, we all get caught. Eventually. The good news, however, is that God does not leave us to our own demise. He doesn’t abandon us when we make mistakes. He doesn’t give up on us even when we give up on ourselves. As the apostle John relates: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” I John 1:9.
No, God does not want us to hide (ask Adam and Eve when you get the chance). Yes, God does want us to bring our mistakes to the light (ask King David after you talk to Adam and Eve). The wonderful thing about God - who is the only rightful Judge - is that he does not want to judge us. He wants to redeem us. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance." God is patient with us. What a wonderful and hopefull thought!
BUT...and this is a BIG BUT...don’t neglect what Peter tells us immediately following those words: “...the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare…” Judgment is coming. And it is final. There is literally no hope when God’s judgment upon sin is executed.
Which is why we urge you - and ourselves - to be in a constant state of repentance. We are not excusing or making light of sin - as a matter of fact, we are wanting all of us to take it more seriously. Furthermore, repentance is the only way to deal with sin. It is the only way to bring “light into the darkness” and the “darkness cannot overcome it.”
What if there was an investigative unit who was looking into your life. What would they find? What would you hope and pray they would not find? We may not be billionaires or world leaders, but like them we have all “sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” We must, “Therefore confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power to prevail," James 5:16.
Prussian king Frederick the Great was touring a Berlin prison. The prisoners fell on their knees before him to proclaim their innocence-except for one man, who remained silent. Frederick called to him, "Why are you here?" "Armed robbery, Your Majesty," was the reply. "And are you guilty?" "Yes indeed, Your Majesty, I deserve my punishment." Frederick then summoned the jailer and ordered him, "Release this guilty wretch at once. I will not have him kept in this prison where he will corrupt all the fine innocent people who occupy it."
Guilty? Confession is good for the soul...now and later.
Steve and Missy
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