No Escape

If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Proverbs 24:12

There are many promises we happily claim in the Bible that serve to encourage us in serving the Lord. However, the promise in the last portion of this verse tends to remove the happiness from His promises. When we recognize that God knows our heart and judges us according to our works, it causes a jolt of fear to pass through me. Even though I am saved by His grace, I am not perfect. When I review this verse, it causes a parade of sins to pass through my mind that continue to plague me on a daily basis. While we may be able to hide our thoughts and actions from our peers, there is no escape from His judgement.

John states it best in 1 John 1:8-10: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

And in the middle verse is our escape from judgement - forgiveness. While Solomon's verse brings me to awareness of my many daily sins, John provides me the key to forgiveness. If I confess my sins, he will forgive me. It is like a daily reminder that I can not live my life on my own, I need His power and grace to continue serving Him.

Have you made your escape today from the judgement you deserve?