"Even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart.." (Joel 2:12)
Even Now. These are two of my favourite words in the Bible, and I come back to them again and again, and find great assurance and relief. When I go off the rails and drift away from God, I put off coming back to Him. I feel too pathetic, too sinful. I'll do it later. Maybe tonight.
I pledged my faithfulness and obedience to Him, and an hour later I completely disregarded that pledge, and made a mockery of it, so how can I show my face? I put off coming back to Him, because my apology seems so lame and hollow, I am a 'white-washed tomb'. I never stop believing that He will give me forgiveness, but I feel too much of a wretch to ask for it.
But He says Even Now. Even Now, though you have gone so far from Me. Even Now that you have done what you have done. What a huge comfort this is. Never can we go so far that we are beyond His grasp, love, forgiveness, redemption.
Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)
Huldra Forsvant (Theodor Kittelsen)
3 comments:
The way a relationship should be between a child and their Father, don't you think. is there anything that you could imagine little E doing that would make you turn your back on her? No, of course not. That is how I see our relationship with the Big Guy. I don't imagine He would want you to beat yourself up about it, as He knows your feelings are sincere. no self flagulence is gonna make him reassess your place in his heart, he knows before you do how you are going to act. he created you!!
Thoughts?
Hello mate, thanks for your comment. I agree with you up to a point. Your description of God's forgiving character I definately agree with, and that my failings do not make Him reassess His love for me.
But there is also the other side of the forgiveness coin which is just as important-- that there is something to be sorry for.
God HATES when we sin (ie, disobey the way of living He has set out). Hate is a very strong word, and we can't overlook that fact and just jump straight to the forgiveness. There is a massive cost involved. God paid that by sending HIS son to DIE. Why do that if sin did not matter? That is a massive cost. Therefore, sin definately matters and we need to daily acknowledge that.
The passage I quoted goes on to say 'return to me with weeping and mourning'. So yes, we can always return to God, but our heart needs to be a certain way when we do.
So true Ben. I think your sentiments reflect the way many of us feel in our daily struggles. To quote our minister last sunday, he stated that it is customary to give believers assurance by pointing them to God's promises that everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved. However, Jesus also warns that many on the last day will discover that their faith was unreal and counterfeit (Matt 7:21). The REALITY of true faith is practical obedience, genuine love for others and belief that Jesus Christ is God manifest in the flesh. I think this is where we fall short markedly... I can only thank God that He is all grace.
AY
Post a Comment