I CAN RISK RISK BEING KNOWN

On that day when, according to the Gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.  Romans 2:16

            Have you ever felt studied?  Perhaps you know the anxiety of feeling inadequate and being in the company of one extremely perceptive.  The fear of exposure can be crippling. 

            I have often played an internal game with myself.  What if, for one day, my thoughts were an open book to the people around me?  They would see not only what I do, but what I think.  How frightening.  Yet, that is what it is like to be in relationship with God.  He sees what I do, how I feel, and what I think.  My thoughts are an open book.

            This is one of the reasons I believe people repress a knowledge of God.  Their own sin condemns them to such a degree that they can’t bear being known by a God who might condemn them.  They can not imagine being laid bare before someone so powerful. 

            The picture is bleak unless there is more to the story.  If I am known by one who loves me, not one who wants to judge me, that makes all the difference in the world.  The sad reality is that there are many who stay away from church because they fear being around God.  And, there are children of God who study the Bible but fail to have a prayer life for the same reason.  They fear hearing what God might say to them.  In all of this, Satan dances in victory.

            There is more to the story.  The One who knows us so well is able to separate what we do from who we are.  He hates our sin but loves us.  As soon as God saw the spiritual condition of Adam and Eve, that they were separated from Him and cursed forever, He made a plan to restore them.  Them, and us.  Love overruled.  Sin must be atoned for by a perfect sacrifice and since man was sinful and couldn’t do it for himself, Jesus left heaven to come and die in our place. 

            To be known by God is to be known by the One who gave His most precious Son to die for us.  He sees our sin but offers forgiveness.  He sees what we want to hide but puts His robe around our shoulders in response.  Only that kind of love can give me the courage to bare my soul to Him without fear.  Perfect love casts out fear. 

My soul is bare before You.  But, You see me perfect, in Jesus.  No more hiding, ever.  Amen