PART I: ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
DAY 1
“There is a Solution”
Read: John 5:1-18; 8:1-11
By: Rodney R. Jackson, Jr. (Rhema Scholar)
To acknowledge something means to accept or admit the existence or truth of. When it comes to the selected passages for our 12 Days of Meditation as recorded in the book of John, acknowledgement is shown within these stories.
In chapter 5, the man who was at the pool of Bethesda acknowledged his sin issues after Jesus performed a miracle for him. It was also displayed in the same text that the man acknowledged that there was a potential solution for his problem. He speaks to Jesus and tells him that no one helps him get into the pool and that someone always goes ahead of him. The disturbing part about this is that it took place for 38 years.
In the story that takes place in chapter 8, acknowledgement was shown in several ways. First it is acknowledged that a woman and man (although he was not brought) were caught in the act of adultery. Adultery is one of the forbidden sins included in the ten commandments written by Moses, given to him by God. According to the law, anyone caught doing this act was to be stoned.
The second acknowledgement comes when Jesus suggests to the scribes and pharisees that they should stone the woman but only under one condition. He said that if they have not sinned then they should be the first to throw a stone. No one stoned her, after they all had to acknowledge their own sins.
These stories relate strongly to us today in several ways. We must be willing to acknowledge our sin issues, whether it's lying, stealing, being prideful, greedy, lustful, or envious of others. This can be the most difficult part of the process toward growing in Christ and succeeding. Noticing our flaws will never be easy because oftentimes we will look at them as a negative aspect of our lives. However, we should never just focus on the negative, instead, we should see our flaws as an area in which we can grow and improve upon.
For example, if we love to eat fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, greens, yams, and have a 9” sweet potato cheesecake from “TasteThisBakery” all at once, we must see that this is a very unhealthy path to go down. After confessing to the Lord that we have sinned, we need to acknowledge that there is a solution to our problem.
Based upon the above example it sounds like we may have an issue with being greedy. Well, we can take various steps to improve our situation. First, we can start limiting our portions of food. Second, we can start attending FitChurch at Rhema Fellowship Church. Third, we can hire a personal chef who will provide healthier options.
There is a solution to every problem. Pray and ask the Lord how to improve whatever your problem may be. Never be one to judge someone for a wrong that they have done and try to “put them on blast” about it. When you are quick to talk about and point out what someone else may or may not be doing you are only putting yourself in a position for your sins or wrongs to be shown. Instead, be humble and recognize that you have messed up before and you would not want all your wrongdoings to be talked about or brought up amongst other individuals. Focus of you and what you need to acknowledge. After you acknowledge your wrong, acknowledge that God has a solution for you.
