SEARCHLIGHT
Are you aware of how separated and sinful you were before you accepted Jesus Christ to become your Savior and Lord? When you celebrate communion, are you truly grateful?
SCRIPTURE
Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him. Romans 4:7,8 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Billy Graham stated, “God’s forgiveness is not just a casual statement; it is the complete blotting out of all the dirt and degradation of our past, present, and future. The only reason our sins can be forgiven is that, on the cross, Jesus Christ paid their full penalty. But only as we bow at the foot of the cross, in contrition, confession, and repentance, can we find forgiveness.”
Forgiveness obliterates the past and permits you to enter the land of new beginnings. When you became born again, God gave you a new heart, a new start, and a new part to play in life. Your life changed for the good. This is what is being implied in the above Scripture focus. Paul the Apostle quoted David from Psalm 32:1,2. Both men knew that faith in their forgiving God had given them the gift of being forgiven for sin and becoming reconciled with their Maker. This gift had been provided because God the Father is merciful and made forgiveness of sin possible through sacrificing His Son on the cross. [Romans 5:10]
DO YOU REALIZE HOW BLESSED YOU REALLY ARE? After having received a gift, it is most likely that you begin to forget about the gift and the giver. The gift becomes a routine part of your life. Jesus does not want you to forget that you once confessed in prayer, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from sin. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice, hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.” [Psalm 51:2-4] This was when you owned up to what you were and what you had done. Jesus does not want you to forget how separated from God and how sinful you were. You are truly blessed throughout your life when you really realize how blessed you are with God’s forgiveness.
Think about the results that you have received from God’s forgiveness. Reconciliation to God is the first. When God forgives, there is an immediate and complete change in the relationship. He no longer sees you as a sinner but He forgets about your sin. [Psalm 103:12] Purification is the second. You were given a new perspective. God gave you hope. He changed how you think which became reflective in how you live. No longer did you have to worry, be bitter, or despair about life. [Isaiah38:17] No longer was there a cloud hanging over your head. You were no longer dragging a ball and chain of guilt. New thoughts and attitudes filled your mind and spirit. You became alive. Life had a purpose and plan that you realized God was revealing to you every day as you spent time growing your relationship with Him.
Do you realize how forgiven you are? Your greatest blessing has been God loving and forgiving you. God’s mercy and grace must never be forgotten or taken for granted. God has greatly blessed you when you became His born-again son or daughter and He will continue to bless you as you remember His blessing.
SOMETHING TO DO
It would be very beneficial to take some quiet time today to remember who you were and what you did before Jesus Christ saved you from your old life. When you think about the Lord and how He saved you, healed you, and has kept you from a life of despair, you will greatly enjoy every day in a fresh, new way.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
If You, Heavenly Father, had not loved me by showing grace and mercy in giving Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for my sin, I do not know where I would be today. Thank you for Your forgiveness of sin and for blessing me with a new way of living and loving. AMEN!!!