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
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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
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