Yom She-ni, Iyar 11, 6002 – May 8, 2017
We Must Keep On
It has been my experience that when we as believers fall short of our own convictions, we can find ourselves in a situation where we condemn ourselves. This is not good as we are letting these transgressions stop us.
Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
While self introspection is good, and certainly repentance is good, so is forgiveness. Perhaps we struggle because we do not take time in calling out to our Father for forgiveness.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
It would seem as we read this first chapter, and certainly these verses, that our Father is always interested in our present state. We are either in a state of repentance or not, a state of turning to our Father or not. It is important that we turn to Him quickly, seek forgiveness, and then forgive ourselves as we get back on the right path. And our sins do not linger with us.
Psalms 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.plenteous…: Heb. great in mercy
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
God removes our sins far from us. As far as the east is from the west. Perhaps we think He remembers them and will restate them to us later. This is also not true, according to scripture.
Psalms 130:1 Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.
2 Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.
3 If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Our Father forgives us our transgressions, blotting them out and removing them as far as the east from the west, and they are gone. No lists. No gotchas. Just His love and support for the new way of life He has just given to us. We cannot try to live for tomorrow and never stumble. But we can try for the next 24 hours, the next day, to do the right thing. And if we fall, He will always be there when we cry out in repentance. And if God keeps no lists, who are we to keep a list against ourselves? This is also being “best by sin” as it keeps us from moving in His kingdom, if we let it.
Today, if you are strugling with your humanity and have stumbled or fallen, there is One that will lift You up. Let us turn to our Father Yahuah (Lord), seek His forgiveness in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus), forgive ourselves, and keep moving forward to advance the kingdom.
Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King. Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be done in this earth. Send us today Your overwhelming provision such that it overflows to others. Forgive us our transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have transgressed against us. Cleanse our hearts and minds, and renew a right spirit within us. Deliver us from the evil that would beset us. Restore relationships and prosperity to Your people, more than double what we ever had. Show us a sign for good that all men might know that You alone have done this. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.