Psalm 32 is worth the advent read and meditation.
It records the relief and joy David found in God's forgiveness. The last verse of it calls all of the people to praise and thank God, as does Psalm 33.
God forgives the sins of those who repent. Confession brings relief.
To say "I believe in Jesus" is not enough. You must be willing to acknowledge Him as the most important person in your life. You must be willing to say "I will do what He wants me to do above all else and above any demands that others may place upon me." You must say, and really believe it "Jesus is Lord"! If you will make that decision, I have great news for you -- I can promise you a very positive self-image. When Jesus is the most important person in your life, you will soon come to define yourself in the same way that Jesus defines you. You will begin to think of yourself as He thinks of you. And here's more good news: Jesus thinks you're great! He thinks you're terrific. He really does. He wants us to realize that once we accept Him as our Savior and Lord, we stand before Him as perfect! The bible says that my sin is blotted out. It is buried in the deepest sea - it is remembered no more.
What sin haunts your mind? Have you repented? If so . . . God forgives you. Now forgive yourself.
4 comments:
I love the way the Bible talks about the forgiveness of our sins and the lovingkindness of my God. I have done some rotten things in my life, really rotten things. But, I know that my sins are put as far away as "the east is from the west". That is a long long long long ways away. However, even when the confession has been made and I know I have been forgiven, those little niggling guilty thoughts will sneak up on me. I read in Discipleship Jounal that those repeated returns to regret and shame are tools of Satan. When I "choose" to pick up the burden of that forgiven sin again and again, that is Satan leading me. When I do not lay down the burden at the foot of the cross and then walk away for good, I am saying, "God's Word is not IT." I am playing Eve. God wants me in the GARDEN, but I can't walk away from the GUTTER. Even after those times HE has picked me up and carried me to the top of the mountain, I still go to that slippery slope of regret and find myself deep in the valley, over and over again. Thank God, I have Jesus as my intercesor. I am saved and it is permanent. Thank you Jesus and my God.
Wow, Mickey! Your comment is so great! You have so much wisdom. Thank you for sharing with us! I love your word - niggling - good word.
This is really great Mom and Mickey. Both have great insights that I need to pay more attention to. Thank you.
"You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; you shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance." How sweet that deliverance is! Thank you for this Lonnie. Very wise teaching. And thank you, Michelle, for your insight and wisdom.
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