My grandmother once received a special gift: a record player! She was incredibly elated, as this was no ordinary device. It was a combination turntable, radio, and CD player. The instructions were written in broken English. They read, “Press button hardly.” While the intent was to indicate that it should be pressed with force, my grandmother interpreted that she was to touch it lightly. She exclaimed, “I barely pressed it; why is it not working!?”
It’s important to follow directions that come from a reputable source. Instructions that are laid out in God’s Word provide the way to abundant life in Him. Unfortunately, part of being a human is being a sinner. We do not always follow God’s directions. Thank God that we are offered forgiveness through the shedding of Christ’s blood!
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases.
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:2-3, 10-12
Praise God that we do not have to embrace and wallow in our sinful state. We as believers have received forgiveness and can live in freedom from sin and death. In His mercy, God does not give us the punishment that our sin deserves.
Christ calls us to repent of the ways in which we go against His instructions and perfect standard. Not simply to apologize for sin, but to turn from it and turn towards Him. Praise God that Christ is our advocate before the Father when we do sin (1 John 2:1-2).
May I encourage you to consider today if there are sins that you need to confess. I hope you will be invigorated to repent and submit to the Lordship of Christ. May we each rest in His grace and mercy.
Love in Christ,
Adam