1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Growing up in a church, I have said this verse in creed-form ever since I was a little girl, having no idea what it meant… until that day when I began to see the loathsomeness of sin and my heart began to cry out “Lord! Cleanse me from the ugliness, the unrighteousness, anything that is not Good and Pure and You.” A deep desire to have that loathsomeness purged from me while seeing and understanding that I am not able to do it on my own no matter how many times I speak the creed. Then! The promise revealed in this scripture, came to Life. He will cleanse me if I but acknowledge my need for Him!!! 

We can not want this and that is something entirely different – But He is willing and able if we are finally tired enough of ourselves to cast our burdens, all that is evil and untrue, upon the Lord, and let Him care for us.

Andrew Murray wrote once, “All the sin in earth and hell could not harm me if it were not present in my heart.” Just like it could not harm Jesus, it only brought Him into greater Glory. It’s a tough pill to swallow to acknowledge that the evil that is hurting us is actually in us… But in seeing, will we allow self to be crucified? Jesus showed us the way… the way to the cross. How to let go of self and trust God as He bring us into His Glory. 

Our relationship with God the Father through Jesus is not about a creed or a prayer, unless you mean creed as something you live by and surrender to, and prayer being the very yearning of our heart and soul and mind. Words mean nothing unless our heart is crying them out as well as our lips. This is why it is said that unchecked words reveal our hearts… and if we don’t have Good living in us, the ugliness of our hearts. There isn’t a man, woman, or child on this earth that this should not humble… and hopefully awake the yearning for a True, Pure, and Holy Spirit instead of the one in bondage to what is not.

Have thine own way Lord!