The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Trusting Hearts, Humble Repentance"
We can all look back on our lives and think of things we should and should not have done. Some involve sins, while others were simply mistakes based on inadequate knowledge, poor preparation, or misjudgment. We may bear scars from some of our wayward steps, especially if our detours affected others. Surely a healthy regret is in order regarding our wrong decisions and actions, or in Biblical terms, a holy repentance and godly sorrow.
"I will be sorry for my sin" (Psalm 38:18).
Of course, we are not meant to be paralyzed by our remembrance of wrong, nor would our Heavenly Father have us to bear a burden the Lord Jesus Christ bore on the cross of Calvary when He died for our sins. His sacrifice outweighs our sins in the sight of God so thoroughly that "of their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more" (Hebrews 10:17). Seen through the shed scarlet blood of the Lord Jesus, God sees our wrongs "as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). We must join Him in the affirmation, rejoicing and affirming that "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20). However, it remains true that some sins and mistakes affect us throughout our lifetime as scars that seem to hinder and even harm. How do we deal with those?
Certainly our scars can and should have an educational effect. We must learn from our sins and mistakes. However, we also realize that our Heavenly Father knew the wrongs we would commit before we were even born. Without minimizing their darkness and effect, and certainly without neglecting genuine repentance, we nevertheless may come to Throne of God's grace in the realization He can weave the threads of our lives into His purposes as we trust Him and honestly acknowledge our sins and mistakes. This involves the most serious of issues in our walk with Him. Sin can never be taken lightly. However, the wonder of God's mercy also promises that He often brilliantly reveals His glory where it seems it should not be. Our Father is that loving, involved, and gracious, and His Son's person and work on our behalf is that triumphant, powerful, and efficacious in all who approach the Throne of grace with trusting hearts of humble repentance.
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest…. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice.
(Psalm 51:1-4; 7-8)
"If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin."
(I John 1:7)
Weekly Memory Verse
If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.
(I John 1:7)
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