"Only Acknowledge Thine Iniquity"

By E. E. Shelhamer

    "Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord…Turn, O backsliding children…and I will bring you to Zion" (Jer. 3:13-14).

    Scripture commands, "Only acknowledge thine iniquity." Do not spread forth your hands in eloquent prayer. Do not try and sing your way through. Do not be satisfied with a happy feeling or someone’s telling you that you are saved. Do not stop short of a real witness in your soul.

    The proper thing to do is to break down before God and acknowledge your real condition – how touchy and self-willed you have been, how selfish and critical of others, how full of self-pity; how you have sought inwardly the praises of men and women, and how you have feared their opinions; how few tears you have shed over lost men, and how little holy unction and power you have in your life to help others to the Light.

    When you get a real sight of yourself you will acknowledge your iniquity and cease criticizing and blaming others. You will cease using the words "we" and "us" in your confessions, but like David in the penitential Psalm, you will cry out, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean…Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psa. 51:7, 10).

    When you thus honestly acknowledge your iniquity you will –

"…rise to walk in heaven’s own light,
Above the world and sin.
With heart made pure and garments white,
And Christ enthroned within."