1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
in the last week, the Lord has been speaking to me . We all fail when we sin. This past week has been no exception for me. When I sinned, I asked the Lord to forgive me once again. The sense of shame and guilt were heavy. I kept saying , Lord I am so sorry. As I continued saying it, He said, “A prisoner does not forget his crime once he’s been freed. Does the prisoner who has been freed , continue to go back to the one who had the power to pardon him, apologizing over and over again?”
The person who pardoned the guilty, sees many cases across their desk. Would they remember each and every case? I ask again would a prisoner constantly go back and apologize , or would they try to start fresh and move on?
The prisoner’s memory of the crime isn’t to keep him in shame. It’s a reminder of the danger of going back to that path that cost him dearly: maybe a job, family, time , and freedom etc.
God promises to forgive those who repent of their sin and rebellion and trust and follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. We will never be perfect on this side of eternity, but we should strive to honor our Lord who redeemed us. Honor our Heavenly Father who adopted us as family, a son or daughter of the King. When God forgives us, He chooses not to remember the sin, once forgiveness is asked.
Hebrews 8:12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness.
I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.”*
We have the promise that Jesus will one day present all who have trusted Him as Lord and Savior, will be presented to the Father blameless and pure. That is His job, but our love for the Lord should compel us to strive to obey our King. His commands are life to us. Sinful ways steal moments we cannot get back. Sin can destroy families, friends, and relationships. It can also ultimately take lives, resulting in personal death or of others. Sin is not the way to life, but to destruction.
Jude 1:24-25
Now to him who is able to keep them† from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, 25 to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Each day we choose whom we will serve. It’s a daily choice. Do we truly trust that the Lord has done as He promised He would?
Pray for your family and friends who still are imprisoned in sin. Pray they will encounter the Lord and that they will be redeemed and freed before it’s too late.
All scripture from the World English Bible