own defects generally escape our scrutiny. Oh how easy it is to see the problems of others; they are very clearly in focus, to be sure. As we analyze our own shortcomings, it is a far different matter. Bodily d is e a se will generally manifest itself in some sort of pain or physical symptoms. It’s true that some forms of cancer unfortunately will gain such a hold on an individ ual that he is unaware until excru ciating pain grips him. At the start, he may not fully realize the destruc tive power at work within him. Like wise, the peculiar characteristic of moral disease is that it works on us secretly. Do you see what David had in mind in asking for cleansing from “secret” sins? These are transgres sions we may not feel or to which we have become insensitive, yet we know from the searchlight of God’s Word that they have a tremendously destructive effect upon our lives. The sins we confess might be likened to the farmer’s samples of grain which he brings to the market. In other words, there are many more where these came from. Actually, sin can only really be fully measured when we resist it, or when we stand our ground. It is when we turn back temptation by the power of God’s Holy Spirit that we can sense this tremendous strug gle of the soul. Unfortunately, all too frequently our conscience has be come dulled and we don’t fully ap preciate the fact that God is trying to speak to us. In a sense we’ve turned our backs on Him. An Indian Christian was asked to define conscience. He explained it by saying in language I ’ll para phrase, “It’s a three-cornered thing which when I do something wrong begins to move around in my heart. As it rotates, the points hurt me, but I’ve found that when I just over look it, not heeding it at all, even tually those points begin to wear off as they go around rapidly, and then I don’t feel them at all.” The Bible 10
may have escaped us, transgression of omission as well as commission. So David rightly asks, “Who can un derstand his errors?” To say one is guiltless is like a man who would knowingly hide a criminal in his own. house. In James 1:23-24 we read, “He is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” Haven’t you some time looked at a picture of yourself only to remark, “Is that really I ? ” The face seems so un familiar reflected in photograph or even mirror. I suggest that if this is true on the outside, think of what we are like on the inside, where no one but God can see. There is a fugi tive criminal who dwells within us, whom Scripture refers to as the old man or the old nature. For this rea son we are to crucify the flesh with all its affections and lusts. But you see, the problem usually is that our
Mr. Merv Fishback (right), executive admin istrator of Biola's Phoenix affiliate, the Ari zona Bible College, points out the place on the map to which graduates of ABC have gone. With him is the president of this year's study body, Mr. Larry Corcoran, who is also pastor of the Westside Bible Church In Phoenix.
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