FREED FROM SIN

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 28 December 2011

David Pawson tells a story about a group of men from various religious movements meeting together in search of unity. Each person was asked to please describe what their particular faith offered people, that was unique and incontestable in terms of what they understood. The Buddhist stated that reincarnation gave everyone a chance to ultimately “make the grade”. The group then discussed this to establish what the advantages were or were not.

Each participant in turn spoke. The group discussed each one of them in turn. In the end, the Christian was asked for his contribution. He said that the “one thing” Christianity offered, that no one else could give, was forgiveness. The group remained silent. They knew that it remains the greatest need confronting humanity.

For my first few years in Christianity I went through a time of doubt. The doubt was centred on forgiveness. Had I really been forgiven? Was it true or was it a religious delusion? The only “proof” I could find was in the Bible. But in those days the Bible was just another piece of literature with deeply historical roots. I was told it was the Word of God. I didn’t have much problem with that. But I could see no logic in an ancient book, full of history and written so many years ago, being God’s Word. My unanswered question was, “Which words were God’s words? In addition although I was told I had been forgiven, I didn’t feel any different from what I felt before that night when I asked Jesus to forgive me! Of course the essence of Christianity is believing in God. ⁶ It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond(s) to those who seek him. Heb 11:6 MSG

So unbelief was at the very centre of my relationship with Jesus. It’s hard to have a relationship with someone you neither know nor trust! No wonder those early day were so mixed up for me! How could I believe I had been forgiven if I had no close knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?

The bottom line of all this was. How do I know that my sins had been forgiven? There’s no real answer to this. It’s a matter of faith.

During my time at Bible School, I listened to Dr Ken Stewart. He told us that he had entered the seminary convinced of the reality of God’s existence. He stated that he went to the seminary to prove God was real. Imagine the shock when he found that he shared a room with a young man who had gone to seminary to prove that there was no such person! He then added that neither of them succeeded in their quest. It was only when he decided to believe, that the Lord’s reality became evident. He suggested that we would never be able to prove God’s existence. But when we start to move in faith, then Jesus reveals Himself to us.

For me today, God’s forgiveness is no longer a matter for examination in a test tube. That doesn’t work. But when we start to believe we find the truth. “Rolled away, rolled away, and the burden on my heart rolled away.” On that day my sins were rolled away! Yes it is still a miracle. I can’t show you God in a test tube. But look inside the heart of a believer. There you will find all the truth about forgiveness you will ever need.

Today’s meditation looks at forgiveness and freedom from sin.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

Freed from sin

The most important statement, I’ve ever read or heard. Came from the lips of Jesus! I thought they were absurd. I know I was a youngster. I’d not seen much of life. And when I read the Gospel, they stabbed me like a knife. A most accomplished sinner; I knew that I was bad. But surely God would understand for I was still a lad. I listened to the speaker; his words cut to the quick. And while he went on talking, I physically felt sick. He said God set a standard of sinless purity. That just a teeny weeny sin, would be the end of me. He asked with deep compassion, if I could reach that goal. For me it wasn’t viable to be a sinless soul. I’d failed the test already; I’d tallied up a score. And even if I tried again, I’d surely sin some more. So what was the prognosis? How could I get things right? I thought it was Mount Everest and must be climbed tonight. And as the man continued I sank into the pew. I thought that it was hopeless; something I couldn’t do. The more the man kept talking, the worse it seemed to be. For me it was an absolute impossibility. And still the man kept talking but with a change of tone. There was a little ray of hope; one way to God alone. He then spoke of forgiveness; what Jesus Christ could do. The thing I knew I needed and surely wanted to. He said my sins were numerous, but if I’d simply trust; My sinful life He’d turn around, iniquity He’d bust. To come and take my sin away; repentance was required. It sounded very logical and was what I desired. He said forgiveness was the way; and if I’d take His test He’d separate my sins from me as far as East from West I knew that’s what I needed, but wondered could I do it? To which he said there was no need - and why should I construe it? I gasped at the simplicity. I didn’t have to strain. That Jesus Christ had done it all and I could start again! That Jesus was the Saviour; my sins he’d roll away. So when he gave the altar call, I knew I must obey. It took less than ten seconds to answer to that call. I trusted in the Master and made Him Lord of all. And from that very moment my life He turned around. I had no appetite for sin and I was heaven bound. But none of this could happen till Jesus said to me, “My son you are My vessel. From Sin I’ve set you free”. Jim Strickland – written 28 December 2011