For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.

~Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

What an auspicious day it was when I learned about the nutritious benefits of raw foods. Or was it?

An entire aisle of raw nutrition at an organic grocery popped into view shortly thereafter, and the granola bars almost leapt off the shelf and into my hands. Although I had discovered these treats were tough to bite into, I indulged for several delicious days. That is—until the fourth day. I bit into a bar that must have sat on a grocery shelf too long. Suddenly my tooth bent backward. This stubborn bar fought my desire to consume it.

That’s how I wound up in the endodontist’s chair this morning for a root canal procedure. A tiny but very old infection had been hiding inside its original root canal, and had remained undetected. Had it continued any longer, it would have caused terrible pain, and the cost to replace the diseased tooth would have been astronomical. By catching this situation early, it was a blessing in disguise!

This experience got me thinking. Like hidden infections, sin can hide in our spirits, undetected. Although as Christians, we are all sinners saved by grace, we are still capable of harboring “pet sins” in our lives. James addresses this issue, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” James 4:17 (NKJV).

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

~James 4:17 NKJV

King David understood how important it was to ask God to search his heart for hidden sin. He penned, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:23-24 (NKJV).

How can we know if we are harboring undetected sin in our lives? We begin by humbling ourselves in prayer, and we ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts. When we understand that pride shrouds sin in darkness, but humility exposes it to the light, this process becomes easier to acquiesce to.

Left undetected, sin festers and grows, making our spirits sick. But as soon as we recognize it is there, we can go to the One who made a way for us to receive forgiveness, and we can make a fresh start. John explains this clearly, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse of all unrighteousness” John 1:9 (NASB).

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

~1 John 1:9 NASB

I am thankful for that rock-hard granola bar that freed me from a hidden infection. I am even more thankful for the bumps in life that remind me to ask the Lord to search my soul. To be saved and set free from all hidden sins is truly a blessing in disguise that helps me to live a consecrated life filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Will you ask the Holy Spirit to search for hidden sin in your life?

Dear Lord God, please search my heart and bring to light any hidden sins I may be harboring. I repent, and thank You for washing them away in the blood of the Lamb.

In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2020: Blessings in Disguise: Karen Jurgens: All Rights Reserved