02/03/2021
Many who would otherwise come to know the Lord are made by Satan to believe a lie; they are convinced that their sins are too great to be forgiven. Then, in the clutches of that falsehood they hide from God, and refuse the mercy and grace He offers them through Jesus Christ. They may have lived a life of ever increasing sin, but that can all be undone in a moment’s encounter with Jesus... a single occurrence of faith... the instant when we realize, and trust in the fact, that the increase of God’s grace knows no bounds, and conquers all sin.
“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:20-21 ESV
I have known of bad men who gave themselves up to lives of wickedness, evil, and sin, because they felt that God wouldn’t forgive them, and Jesus couldn’t possibly transform someone as profoundly sinful as they were. They remained in the grasp of Satan, and were fully engaged in the world out of their desperation, and a belief in the lie that there was nothing else for them... that they were hated by God, and thus were lost to their sinful nature.
Yet lies cannot overcome the truth, and God waited patiently on these bad men, just as He waits today on so many others. He waits patiently for them to open their eyes to the truth of His mercy... that He has poured out His grace for them in the life, and blood, of His Son Jesus. He waits for them to realize that He has done so in an act of supreme mercy, and eternally victorious power. His forgiveness awaits their belief in Jesus, and that His desire is to transform their lives, and forgive their every sin... great and small.
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.””
2 Corinthians 9:8-9 ESV
As Jesus was nailed to the cross He didn’t do so to merely suffer for us physically, He bore the penalty, and suffering, for all of our sins; yours and mine... great and small. His suffering was spiritual as well as physical. He took upon Himself horrific sins that as men we would never find within ourselves the ability to forgive one another, or ourselves, and yet, by the grace of God, they were accounted for in Him... even our inability to forgive the debts of others was overcome. Jesus taught his disciples to pray this way, and then that prayer was answered on the cross. We were forgiven our debts, and even led to forgive others so that we too would be forgiven, and the other things for which the disciples were taught to pray... even the coming kingdom is being fulfilled today, and His Will is being done as well... right now; this moment!
“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
Matthew 6:9-13 ESV
So if your sins are great, and you feel trapped in them; if Satan is constantly telling you the lie that God can’t forgive someone like you; then look to the cross. As you witness what Jesus has suffered there physically and spiritually for you, ask yourself... is His suffering not enough to redeem me? Is his sacrifice eclipsed by the magnitude of what I have done? Then realize that scripture tells you that He will forgive you of ALL your unrighteousness.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:8-9 ESV
Meet Jesus today, believe that He will change your life, bring forgiveness for the sins you have felt trapped in, and that your faith in Him will allow you to experience love like you have never known it, and eternal life with God.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your mercy and grace that became complete in the redemptive power in Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for overcoming the lies of Satan, and allowing us to know the truth which we find in you, and your Word. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has overcome our sin by your amazing grace which flows through your Son Jesus. Praised be your name for your unending mercy, and the love you feel for us. Mighty are you Lord as you have taken the most adamant of sinners, and shown them the path by which they can reach righteousness. Glorious are you, and overwhelming the nature of your love for us... even such that it led you to send your only begotten Son to die for us. Help us to love you as you love us, and to bring you glory by our faith, and worship. See in us the worthiness of your Son Jesus as we stand before you in judgement Father, and seat us at your table where we can dine with you forevermore... free of ALL sin, and singing your praise into eternity.
“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
1 Peter 2:23-25 ESV
Rich Forbes