Secret Sins

Secret sins are hard to deal with. They are the easiest to justify and to ignore. They can be reduced down to trifle matters and swept under the rug like they never happened. It takes a brave and honest man to admit things he hasn't even been accused of. And what is the reaction of the church, when such sins are confessed? Is there forgiveness? Or is more condemnation piled onto an already grieving heart? The church, tainted with human nature, has taught us that secret sins are easiest dealt with in secret. That there is no forgiveness waiting after your repentance, only condemning gossip and a ruined reputation. It this is an area that the church has greatly faltered it. The church is given the job of judgement, bringing sins to the attention of our brethren, but not the job of punishment. God is the one who sentences and we are not called to make our wayward brothers and sisters feel guilty over a sin that God has forgiven. We are only to encourage repentance, to point to God who can relieve them of the burden of their sin. 

Now, that is not all said to say that out secret sins should remain hidden until the church can learned this lesson. We are called to apologize even if the church isn't ready to forgive us. But it is a balance, with lessons to be learned on both sides of the equation. We can only pray that the Lord with lead both sides to repentance, so that the underlying issues will be resolved.