3-24-2016

    Good Morning All!!

        1 John 1:9; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

    Every river, lake or ocean has what is called the “high water mark.”  This is the line or level where the water reaches its highest point.  It often leaves and interesting picture.  Above the line can be the dirt and the debris which the water does not wash away and below the line is the cleansed wall or bank.  This is especially true in rivers where the water is moving constantly.  You can see the rocks which are polished below the line but rough and dirty above the line.  What exists above the line is above the scouring effect of the water.

    Do you listen to preacher tell you that all your sins are forgiven but wonder about a few?  Do you think that there are some that are simply above the high water mark?  Do you think that there are some sins, which you commit, that go unforgiven?  Then do you feel even worse because you doubt God’s forgiveness?  If it is any consolation, you are not alone.  Most Christians, at some point in their life, feel this way.  Some feel this way more often than others, maybe you are one of them.  This feeling leads to guilt and guilt is the devil’s best friend.  You may feel that there is something in your life that is just beyond any forgiveness.  It can lead to a couple of things.  First, we may feel that, deep down, God is punishing us here on earth for this sin.  It might be that you don’t feel the same health as you think you should.  Perhaps a friend or neighbor seems to always have more than you do.  Perhaps it seems that the neighbors always get more timely rain than you do.  You constantly feel under a cloud.

    This probably isn’t occurring but guilt will lead us to see it. Guilt does many things to us.  It can even be more debilitating if we let the devil convince us that our sins are soon to be revealed to God and everyone and when they are everyone will look at us in disgust and abandon us as quickly as they can.  This kind of guilt can separate us from those around us as we are afraid to get too close for fear they will see the hidden sin.  They will see where the high water mark is and know what sins are not washed away. 

    Always remember that God’s ways are above your ways and the blood of Jesus washes higher than any sin you have.  The blood of Jesus will always scour clean your heart and soul; it already has.  All you need to do is to cling to this truth.  All you need to do is to cling to the reality that ALL your sins are forgiven, not just a few or just the little ones but all of them.  God wants you to live free from sin so that you can live in his kingdom in joyful service to him.  God wants you to live in hope and in peace.  No sin is ever higher than God’s mercy; nothing is higher than Jesus.

Father, too often I try to hide from you because I think I have sins too hard to forgive.  Guide me by your Spirit to trust fully in the promise of your salvation.  Give me the comfort of your grace that I might rest in your loving arms and content in your mercy.  In the precious name of Jesus our risen Savior and King we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret