01/18/2023
In the day of Jesus, like today, a person could argue against Jesus, and that sin would be forgiven him if he repented, believed, and asked for forgiveness. Saul was certainly guilty of speaking out against Christ in those days when he persecuted the Christians, but later, after having met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was converted, and his sin of having spoken and acted out against Jesus the Christ was forgiven. For those among us today who have spoken out against Christ there is also hope, forgiveness, and redemption. No matter how bitter your words, or actions, might have been, the hand of Christ remains extended to you. Forgiveness and eternity are just a prayer away.
“And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him…”
Matthew 12:32 KJV
When we have been adamant in our disbelief regarding who Jesus is, and even if we have waged an open campaign against Him, He still loves us, and desires us to come to Him. How could He have ever saved those who didn’t believe if this were not so?
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:17-18 KJV
Before we are born again in Christ, Satan will recount our sins to us, and try to convince us that we are too far removed from righteousness, too vile, and too corrupt, for us to ever be forgiven of them, and he encourages us to not only reject faith in Jesus but to speak out against Him. He tells us that the world shields us from such notions of faith, and that idols and false religions are escapes from our guilt, and punishment as well. However, even as we listen to these arguments we are not so far gone that the love of God can’t reach us, and neither the world, nor idols, nor false religions, offer us the slightest shelter from our disbelief… only through Jesus is this possible, and He waits patiently for us. He waits for us to come to Him, and on occasion, as with Saul, He comes to us is dramatic fashion. Whether we got to Him or He comes to us we are transformed… it is life altering.
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 ESV
So if we are struggling with who Jesus is, or even if we are already believers, having been transformed, but know someone who is burdened by their past sins as they seek Jesus as they twist, and turn, in the pain of their sins, and think that their opportunity to accept Him has passed them by… teach the lost, and if we feel lost be assured, that Jesus loves you, and reaches out to you, even in your sinful state. God didn’t send Him to save the righteous, but to save the unrighteous from their sins, and he took them all on Himself for you… even those that you believe are unforgivable.
“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
1 John 2:2 ESV
The greatest of Satan’s lies is that you are lost in your sin, and have no hope of redemption. Jesus saves, and He awaits you, ready to take His hand, scarred as His is from the cross, so that you can find peace in Him, and transformation in your life. Whether we are simply a moral person who seeks Him, or a prisoner who has committed horrific crimes, He can wipe away your sins, and give you a new life… one that you may feel is beyond your reach… but isn’t. Will you call out to Him “Lord save me.” Today?
“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.””
Matthew 14:30-33 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for sending your Son Jesus Christ to save us while we were yet sinners. Thank you for his life, death, resurrection, and ascension that took away our sin and the guilt of it, and then transformed us as we were redeemed. Thank you for His hand that is extended to the lost today, and for your mercy and grace that flows from it as we take it into our own. Help the unbeliever to see salvation, and the believer to judge no sinner as lost. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves the world enough that you sent your Son Jesus to the cross for us. Praised be you name for every sin for which we have repented and have been forgiven. Merciful are you for the grace you have poured out upon us; we who are sinners and undeserving. Wash us today Lord in the blood of Jesus and cleanse us in this way of every sin. Transform our lives into an image of Him as we each humbly utter the words “”I believe”, “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and ask Him now to be my Redeemer, my Savior, the Lord of my life!”. Help me in my unbelief Father, and strengthen me in my faith such that I can stand before you in my final judgement, not as myself, but as myself cloaked, and abiding in Christ.” And in praying this may God forgive all who truly believe, and pray in this way. May their sins fall away, and their life be born new… transformed into the image of our Lord Jesus.
“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:9-10 KJV
Bless You All,
Rich Forbes