Dear Logos Family,
“….as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Ps 103:12 (NIV)
Jennifer and I celebrated our 36th anniversary last night. We went to a nice restaurant and I had a feeling before we left for dinner that we might talk about or remember back on some of the highlights of our life together. Sure enough, Jenny asked me that question.
And to be quite honest, I kind of went “brain dead” for a moment. It’s actually a hard question to answer “on the spot” because thirty-six years is a lot of life…. Jennifer chimed in and reminded me of some great trips we’ve taken in the last few years and we were off to the races reminiscing on a wonderful life together.
Do you ever wonder if God forgets things about our lives? I’ve heard Rick Warren use a verse like Psalm 103:12 and say that God posts a “NO FISHING” sign in areas of our lives where he has forgiven us and cast our sins so far away it’s as if the Almighty has forgotten them!
I don’t know if God has forgotten all of our past, but in Christ, we know that He has forgiven all our sins that we confess to him.
“If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
As we get ready to close out 2021 and usher in 2022, I wonder if there is anything that we need to LET GO OF COMPLETELY? Any grudge we’re holding onto, or sin that we have left unconfessed?
When we come to Christ and ask for His forgiveness, He wipes our slate clean. But sometimes we don’t show ourselves the same level of grace and mercy as the Lord. Maybe it’s because we’ve asked for forgiveness for the same thing so many times we wonder if God still really forgives us?!
Whenever I’ve struggled with guilt from the past I remember Romans 8:1-2
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Brothers and sisters, in Christ, you are free!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Pastor Bill