Over and over again, the people rebelled against God. Over and over again, they suffered because of their rebellion. Over and over again, the LORD saved them from their own iniquity.
It's the same old story. It's not just Israel's story. It is ours. All of us have gone astray. All of us have experienced the consequences of our sins. Yet, God, whom we have offended most, continues to forgive. He continues to give to us salvation through Jesus Christ.
As often as we turn and call out to Him, He hears. We remember our past sins and God forgives. Remembering where we have been is a good thing. It reminds us who we are not. We are not God. It reminds us who it is that saves. It is not us. Only Jesus can save.
But, sometimes we have a different motivation for remembering - especially remembering the sins of others. That motivation is sin itself. It is sin when we remember the past sins of others to make ourselves feel better about our own sins. "I'm not as bad as so and so...." It is sin when we remember the sins of others, but cannot acknowledge the sin within ourselves. It is sin when we live in the past and refuse to live in the day that God has given us to live in today, when we do not receive the gift of light and life today; rather choose to live in the darkness of yesterday. They seek to destroy the lives of others, but only end up destroying their own.
Remembering the past can be a good thing. Remembering can help us live fuller lives in Christ today as we remember not to turn our backs on the One who has had mercy on us. But, if you choose to live in the dark past, stop trying to drag others back there with you. There are those who prefer to follow Jesus and now live in the light of God's grace.
"Praise the Lord!
It's the same old story. It's not just Israel's story. It is ours. All of us have gone astray. All of us have experienced the consequences of our sins. Yet, God, whom we have offended most, continues to forgive. He continues to give to us salvation through Jesus Christ.
As often as we turn and call out to Him, He hears. We remember our past sins and God forgives. Remembering where we have been is a good thing. It reminds us who we are not. We are not God. It reminds us who it is that saves. It is not us. Only Jesus can save.
But, sometimes we have a different motivation for remembering - especially remembering the sins of others. That motivation is sin itself. It is sin when we remember the past sins of others to make ourselves feel better about our own sins. "I'm not as bad as so and so...." It is sin when we remember the sins of others, but cannot acknowledge the sin within ourselves. It is sin when we live in the past and refuse to live in the day that God has given us to live in today, when we do not receive the gift of light and life today; rather choose to live in the darkness of yesterday. They seek to destroy the lives of others, but only end up destroying their own.
Remembering the past can be a good thing. Remembering can help us live fuller lives in Christ today as we remember not to turn our backs on the One who has had mercy on us. But, if you choose to live in the dark past, stop trying to drag others back there with you. There are those who prefer to follow Jesus and now live in the light of God's grace.
"Praise the Lord!
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 105:1 NIV)
For His mercy endures forever." (Psalm 105:1 NIV)
God's Peace - Pr. J.
No comments:
Post a Comment