11/25/2019
Sometimes we feel trapped in our sins, and unable to escape the everyday miseries of life, but it doesn’t have to be that way. By listening to the words of Jesus, and feeling His healing touch upon our bodies, we can be returned to a life of spiritual and physical freedom, and joy. We can be made whole by Christ, and by an awakening of the Holy Spirit.
“"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,”
Luke 4:18 ESV
Children who have disobeyed their parents don’t just walk away from that transgression, they carry the burden of their guilt inside them, and it affects everything they do. It might take days for that wrongdoing to boil sufficiently, and for it to bring them to the point of confession, for them to ask for forgiveness, but once they reveal their guilt, and gain forgiveness for it, they suddenly feel an incredible release from the suffering they have been living with. At that moment an emotional release of overwhelming joy follows as the weight and darkness of hidden wrong are lifted. Jesus was sent to bring us not only a release from sin but a freedom from the darkness that surrounds us when we are living in that sin. He releases us just as certainly as children who at long past confess their disobedience are freed from the overwhelming guilt that ruled them.
“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”
John 12:46 ESV
Are you denying a sin right now, and is it eating away at you? Is a darkness of guilt covering your life like a shroud, and all the joy you once felt being snuffed out... or worse than that is it changing you into a hateful, or bitter person? Perhaps it is ruining a friendship, a relationship, your walk of Faith, or maybe it is destroying your marriage. If I am describing your life, and the road you are on, then it is time to turn to Jesus for help. It is time for Him to lead you to forgiveness, and for you to hear Him say “Go and sin no more.” He can do this for you just as He did in the story of the adulterous woman. Let’s listen to to that story...
“they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more." ]]”
John 8:4-11 ESV
Can you imagine the release she felt at that moment? Can you sense the joy that must have overcome her as she returned to her home? We know this because each of us at some point has felt the release from guilt. Let’s read a passage from Psalm 32 about just such a feeling...
“How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How joyful is the man the Lord does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit! When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat. Selah Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You took away the guilt of my sin. Selah”
Psalms 32:1-5 HCSB
If we will confess our sin, and in contrition ask for forgiveness, then Jesus will take away our sin, and return us to a place of peace and joy, and in the same way we should forgive others...
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV
If we do this then the yolk, and burden of our sins will be lifted from us, and the light air of joy and peace will return to claim us. Are you a slave to your sin right now? Then perhaps you are ready to remove yourself from bondage. If you are ready then confess, be contrite, forgive others as you want to be forgiven, and hear Jesus say “Go and sin no more.”
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your mercy and grace that awaits in Jesus to redeem us, and to grant us your forgiveness. Thank you for lifting the dark burden of sin from us, and letting your light shine down into our very being. Hear the joy in our voices, and feel the love in our heartfelt kisses, and embraces, as we fall into your arms, and at your feet in release from guilt. Teach us Holy Father to forgive others just as we desire you to forgive us, and let that moment be a blessing not only for ourselves, but for those who have felt the sting of our transgression against them. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who forgives and showers us with grace. Praised be your name for removing our sin, and returning joy to us. We worship you Lord, and weep tears of joy at your feet for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us. Great are you, and all glory is yours for the mercy and grace you have provided through your Son Jesus. Hear the thanksgiving and joy in our prayers as we offer them now, and forevermore... forgive us always Father.
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Colossians 1:13-14 ESV
Rich Forbes