Torch, Fall 1994

) temper," not "Well, if you had this kind of instructor, you would have done the same thing." I have to be honest. No more lying to God. No more lying to myself. No more lying to you. Now sometimes this is a very painful process. There have been times I've had to stay before the Lord and just let him ream out my soul. David prayed, "Cleanse me from secret faults" (Psalm 19:12). He didn't mean faults my friend doesn't know I have. He didn't mean the sins my wife doesn't know I commit. What he meant was sins I don't even know about. I recall making a left hand turn in Chicago, and within half a block, a policeman pulled me over. I said, "Officer, what did I do?" He said, "That's an illegal left turn." I said, "I didn't know that." He said, "That doesn't make any difference." It didn't. That's why I have to read my Bible every day. I'll be reading along and God will zap me. I'll say, "Lord, I didn't know about that. I'm sorry." That's why chapter two tells us in verse one, "My little children, these things I write to you so that you may not sin." Nine times in 1 John He says "Little children...." There are certain lessons every little child has to learn. One of them is how to keep clean. Verse one states, "If any man sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." I can come to my advocate and confess my sin and He forgives. I don't want to stop there. With some people, it's confess the sin, get cleansed, then go back and sin again. I have got to judge that sin. I've got to come to the place where I hate that sin I'm having to confess . Several years ago, our doctor discovered I was marginally diabetic and I had to take off a lot of weight. He said to me, "Let me give you a word of advice. If you want to lose weight, here's a diet: learn to hate the things that hate you." I was brought up in a Swedish home and the Swedes are great for making pastries. I also had to learn not to like candy. I used to go to O'Hare Airport to fly off someplace and I'd stop at a candy shop. Now, when I walk past a candy shop, I get a little nauseous. God gives me another "if' in verse seven. "If we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin." Walking in the light means I can see the dirt when it's coming. Walking in the light means I can instantly talk to my Father and take care of it. God's Word is light. As I read the light of the Word of God, I'm walking in the light. The church of Jesus Christ is light. We need accountability to each other. So, as I walk in the light of fellowship with God's people, fellowship in God's Word, fellowship with God's person, then the work that Jesus did on the cross enables me to conquer sin. It isn't just that He died for me- that's true, thank God- but I died with Him! It isn 't just that He raised me from the dead, but He took off the grave clothes. Our most important task is the building and guarding of Christian character. Then God can use us to win the lost and to help the saved. Then, God can use the surgeon's hands, the musician 's fingers, the mechanic's skill. Whatever God calls us to do, God wants us to have at the heart of our lives, a heart that is holy. "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." Don't cover sin. It'll destroy you. Confess sin. That will cleanse you. Walk in the light to conquer sin. The heart of God will rejoice. The walk in the light is a joyful task, not a burdensome task. It's a joyful task to become more like the Lord Jesus, conformed to the image of His Son. Dr. Warren Wiersbe is currently involved with a writing, teaching, and conference ministry. He pastored several churches, including The Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois, and served as the general director of Back to the Bible. The author of nearly 100 books on biblical themes, Dr. Wiersbe most recently published an autobiography, Be Myseff. As speaker for Cedarvllle's Fall Bible Conference, Dr. Wiersbe addressed the college theme for the 1994-95 school year, "Building Values Today for Tomorrow.• He received an honorary doctorate from Cedarville in 1987. At that time, he delivered the Charter Day address which inaugurated C9darville's Centennial Celebration. July 14-29, 1995 E njoy! The hustle and excitement of London. The beauty and serenity of the countryside. The stately buildings and rich history. Experience! Spiritual highlights associated with our Christian heritage-the homes and churches of such giants of the faith as John Knox, John Bunyan, and the Wesleys; visit Spurgeon's Metropolitan Tabernacle in London and sing "Amazing Grace" in the hometown of its author, John Newton. Appreciate! First class or deluxe hotels; hearty English cuisine; available academic or C.E.U. credit. Dr.James McGoldrick, professor of history at Cedarville College and an authority on British church history, will add his insights in a lively and informative manner. Dr. Martin Clark, vice president for development at Cedarville, will serve as your tour host. Plan now to join this quality, value-filled tour. Call the Development Office, 513-766-7810 for more information. Torch 9 - -----