Tag Archives: unclean lips

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – God’s Throne of Grace

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Hebrews 4:13-16

When sadness, depression, or loneliness assails us, we may feel as if there’s nowhere to turn. But God clearly tells us what to do when we’re in need: We are to go straight to His throne of grace.

The prophet Isaiah’s vision of this setting is so overwhelming that he cries out, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty” (Isa. 6:5 NIV). This throne room is filled with God’s glory, power, and radiant majesty—it is a holy place from which He rules over the entire universe.

We, like Isaiah, may feel unworthy, but God extends His great mercy and love to us from His throne, taking away our sin. We can approach God there once we have given our lives to Him through Christ. As we cry out to Jesus to save us because we know we can’t save ourselves, the door of heaven swings wide open, and we are ushered into the throne room. We are welcome because Jesus is our intercessor—He gives us access to the God of all creation. Because He walked where we walk, and He sympathizes with our weaknesses.

Jesus was tempted just as we are but never sinned and always remained one with the Father. He invites us to follow in His steps. His death and resurrection make it possible for us to receive mercy and grace at all times. So, instead of sitting alone in our pain, outside this wonderful place where we’re always accepted, we should run through the open doors, straight into the presence of our Father.

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John MacArthur – Maintaining Spiritual Sensitivity

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“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matt. 5:4).

Satan desires to desensitize Christians to the heinousness of sin. He wants you to stop mourning over sin and start enjoying it. Impossible? Many who once thought so have fallen prey to its power. It usually doesn’t happen all at once. In fact, the process can be slow and subtle– almost imperceptible. But the results are always tragic.

How can you remain alert to the dangers of sin and protect yourself from compromise? First, be aware of your sin. David said, “My sin is ever before me” (Ps. 51:3). Isaiah cried out, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips” (Isa. 6:5). Peter said to Jesus, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (Luke 5:8). Paul called himself the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Those men shared a common awareness of their own sinfulness and it drove them to God for forgiveness and cleansing.

Second, remember the significance of the cross. If you allow a pattern of sin to develop in your life, you’ve forgotten the enormous price Christ paid to free you from its bondage.

Third, realize the effect sin has on others. The psalmist said, “My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Thy law” (Ps. 119:136). Jesus mourned over Jerusalem, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling” (Matt. 23:37). Your heart should ache for those enslaved to sin.

Finally, eliminate anything that hinders your sensitivity to sin, such as deliberately sinning, rejecting God’s forgiveness, being proud, presuming on God’s grace, or taking sin lightly. Such things will quickly dull your spiritual senses and give Satan the opportunity to lead you into greater sin.

Suggestions for Prayer:

Thank God that He brings comfort and happiness to those who mourn over their sin.

Ask Him to guard your heart from anything that will diminish your sensitivity to the awfulness of sin.

For Further Study:

Read 1 Samuel 15.

What was Saul’s sin?

Did he mourn over his sin? Explain.