November 18, 2005

 

But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”

--Romans 4:5-8

 

Have you ever wanted to begin again in life? Many people want to start over, so they can get over the guilt of the past and stained pages of yesterday. For non-believers, there is hope to begin again through the forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. And for believers, we have the amazing privilege of already becoming new creations in Him.

 

One particular man in the Bible, King David of Israel, committed the sin of adultery with Bathsheba and then murder by sending her husband to the front lines of war. But he also had a chance to begin again by repenting of his sins to the Lord. When you look on my page or your page, the record is not perfect. In fact, Scripture says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

 

There are many marks of imperfection in life: personally, in our families, in our careers, in our marriages. In fact, when you look at our spiritual bank account we are in debt and bankrupt. And greater than physical, financial, material, or emotional bankruptcy is spiritual bankruptcy. The problem is that we’re incapable of getting out of debt, but there is good news.

 

The Bible says, “He who covers his sin will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). When you get honest with God and are willing to confess our sins, then you will become clean again before Him. If you’ve got sin you’ve not confessed in your life, then you need to do business with God. Today, confess and repent of your sins to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to cleanse you and make you whole again.

 

THE FORGIVENESS OF GOD BRINGS ABOUT JOY AND PEACE IN LIFE.