The next logical lesson in this series is to examine \"what happens if I stop praying\" as John 15:6 shows us. However, before we do this, I sensed the need to examine the matter of presumptuous sins with you.
If you had followed you would have noticed the progression the LORD was putting before us. Relationship – Righteousness – Responsibility. You cannot claim to be in a relationship with Jesus and refuse to bear the fruits of righteousness. And you cannot bear the fruits of righteousness without accepting the responsibility of sonship.
We may deal with the concept of sonship fully later but let\’s simply establish now that sonship is the presence, progress (growth) and proof of Jesus\’ life in you. Take note of these three points about sonship:
- The New Creation Life has been birthed through regeneration.
- The New Creation Life grows both downwards (taking roots) and upwards (bearing fruits, not just leaves).
- The New Creation Life is proven from time to time through opposing circumstances, difficulties and experiences of life.
![\"midwaycofc.com\"](\"https://olamideopeyemi.files.wordpress.com/2023/05/091618am-in-the-presence-of-god.001-1024x768-1.jpeg\")
The first thing that proves your sonship is your practice of God\’s Presence. This is your longing and passion to minister to the LORD Jesus by releasing your thoughts in communion and prayer to Him. While this is exhaling (breathing out), this assumes that your thoughts have been treated/corrected by \”inhaling\” the Word of God. So, whenever the Word of God comes in, what pours out is your thoughts released in thanksgiving and all forms of prayer.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Psalm 19:12-13 KJV
Without this revelation-light, how would I ever detect the waywardness of my heart? Lord, forgive my hidden flaws whenever you find them. Keep cleansing me, God, and keep me from my secret, selfish sins; may they never rule over me! For only then will I be free from fault and remain innocent of rebellion.
Psalm 19:12-13 TPT
You cannot be committed to this divine system and remain bound to presumptuous sins. In the scripture above, we see David\’s thoughts released in prayer unto the LORD. If you read from the beginning of the passage, you will see how he opened his heart to worship God. His heart was enraptured in wonder at the magnificent display of God\’s glory in nature and the perfections of His processing systems. You can read them below.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Psalm 19 KJV
![\"conversatio.org\"](\"https://olamideopeyemi.files.wordpress.com/2023/05/oip-14.jpg\")
These systems for processing and transforming you are six dimensions of the Scriptures with which God works on you. This is so that you can eventually work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12, 2 Timothy 3:15-17). As David saw the inevitability of God\’s Word as the principal means for spiritual formation, he resolved to exalt the Word of God over human opinions and traditions.
It was in this state of recognizing the preserving and perfecting power of the Word he began that prayer: \”Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.\” Psalm 19:12-13
Now, from the Passion translation, we have some expressions that help us understand presumptuous sins: waywardness of heart, hidden flaws, selfish sins and rebellion. NLT and NIV render it as deliberate sins and wilful sins respectively. In fact, it is referred to as sins of pride in the Bible in Basic English. I don\’t think we need an elaborate definition to clarify it.
![\"\"](\"https://olamideopeyemi.files.wordpress.com/2023/05/oip-15.jpg\")
David saw that there is this carelessness that develops in the heart when grace comes…the idea that I can always ask God to forgive me. David knew God would forgive him. However, the eyes of his heart were opened to understand that grace is much more for building up in righteousness than for maintaining sin. He saw the sheer wickedness of sinning deliberately because forgiveness was available.
Have you seen what David saw? Or have you also fallen into the trap of seeing grace as an opportunity to sin creatively, calculatingly and secretly? David did not proudly or presumptuously say he was beyond sin. Having learned by experience that sin has a very strategic nature, he kept opening his life to the LORD for cleansing to maintain his integrity. He asked the LORD to keep him from secret, selfish, and presumptuous sins. This is the proactive ministry of grace.
Why would you not use it? Why should you settle for the reactive ministry of grace? If you take responsibility like this, you will see the difference between \”not committing sins\” and \”sin not having dominion over you\”. While the first is external and depends on willpower, the second is internal and depends on abiding in Christ. \”I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.\” John 15:5
LORD Jesus, thank you for not leaving me in the dark concerning the power of your grace. I want to abide in You. Deliver me from the pride of my heart that can easily make me careless. Don\’t let me make stupid choices that can only attract sin. I want to be a son indeed. In Jesus\’ name.
AMEN.
