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Honesty. 1) Being honest with God allows us to see our need for him. Ephesians 2:1-5 Romans 6:23 Romans 3:23. Ephesians 2:1-5 NIV .
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1) Being honest with God allows us to see our need for him. • Ephesians 2:1-5 • Romans 6:23 • Romans 3:23
Ephesians 2:1-5 NIV 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Romans 6:23 NIV 23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 3:22-24 NIV 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
2) Being honest with God is the beginning of a relationship with him. • John 17:3
John 17:3 NIV Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
3) Being honest with God strips us of the pretense of our religion. • Ephesians 2:8-9
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
4) Being honest with God drives us to be people of holiness and grace. • 1 Peter 1:13-16
1 Peter 1:13-16 NIV 13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
5) Being honest with God allows us to live in freedom. • 1 John 1:9
1 John 1:9 NIV 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
6) Being honest with God is safe. You can trust Jesus. • Matthew 18:2-4 • Matthew 19:13-15
Matthew 18:2-4 NIV 2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:13-15 NIV 13Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Questions • Are you being honest with God? • Are you being honest with yourself? • Are you being honest with others? • Where are you in your relationship to the Lord?