Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
The facts are......... We should think about this long and hard!
None of us are immune from making poor choices in our lives. God's forgiveness restores the broken relationship between Himself and sinner, but forgiveness can't make everything exactly as it was. Sin has consequences that forgiveness cannot change.
Philemon 1:7 NLT
Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
Next time you go shopping, walking through WalMart or anywhere as far as that goes, pay attention to how many people there, that are walking around stressed, depressed, and burdened down. Marital problems, financial problems, job lay offs, spiritual doubt's and questions, etc, etc...No one ever said that life was easy, because it certainly isn't. I think it's safe to say...some people are actually "losing it!" Really...just do this the next time you are out and about. We might even be one of them ourself. : )
Now...think about this!
God wants to refresh our soul and give us a new lease on life. He wants to lift our spirits so that we can lift the spirits of others. He is truly a wonderful Savior.
Matthew 11:28 NLT
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Romans 2:4-5 GNT
Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent. But you have a hard and stubborn heart, and so you are making your own punishment even greater on the Day when God's anger and righteous judgments will be revealed.
Understanding grace doesn't mean that we can sin without penalty. Understanding grace means that we never want to sin again. It is the goodness of God that motivates us to repentance and holy living. Counseling sessions, accountability, personal discipleship, the twelve-step program, etc. won't be enough to ward off the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Only when we look upon the grace of God and realizing God paid the debt for our sin with the blood of His Son, will we be motivated to consciously quit our sin.
Remember this......there are no "second‐class" members of God’s family. God still wants to give us His best. And as we seek Him together, He will!
Jeremiah 31:34 NIV
No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord ,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord . “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Jeremiah 1:6-7
Then said I: "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth." But the LORD said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak."
NKJV
God choses us not because of what we want to do, but because of what He can do through us.
How many times have we thought this? "Lord, I know You want me to do this but...? "How can we say "Lord" and "but" in the same sentence? You can't, my friend. It's one or the other. Either He is Lord of your life or He isn't. If you are throwing out excuses not to do what God has asked you to do, maybe you need to consider just who is Lord of your life? Just think about that... Makes sense doesn't it?
