Peace With The Past???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #87

“Who is a God like unto thee,

that pardoneth iniquity,

and passeth by the transgression

of the remnant of his heritage?

he retaineth not his anger for ever,

because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again,

he will have compassion upon us;

he will subdue our iniquities;

and thou wilt cast all their sins

into the depths of the sea.”  Micah 7:18-19

Paul tells us in the letter to the believers at Rome that our peace is in, from, and through Jesus’ substitutionary, atoning sacrifice; it is that which Jesus did for us!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice

in hope

of the glory of God.”  Romans 5:1-2

We have peace with God because of what Jesus did at Calvary!  No other way–No other One– could have paid for our sin but the ‘sinless’ Son of God!  And because of that, peace with God and the forgiveness of our sin, we can have peace within ourselves, when we walk in the work that Jesus did for us, within us and will do through us when we yield ourselves to His Spirit working within us. Not, I have to say when we learn (as is so popularly touted today) to “love ourselves”!  We are to love God and rely upon HIS faithful work within us, receiving the forgiveness and cleansing that HE promised to us when we but agree with God about our need for forgiveness (yes, believers need forgiveness every day!)!  John makes that very clear talking to believers!

“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.

10 If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.”  1 John 1:7-10

Because we are forgiven, we can trust God with our past, present, and future; and we don’t have to writhe in the guilt and shame that Satan tries to heap upon our heads, especially for the sins that Jesus has forgiven–and that would be all of them!

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it,

do not cease to pray for you,

and to desire

that ye might be filled

with the knowledge of his will

in all wisdom

and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy

of the Lord unto all pleasing,

being fruitful

in every good work,

and increasing

in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might,

according to his glorious power,

unto all patience

and longsuffering

with joyfulness;

12 Giving thanks unto the Father,

which hath made us meet

to be partakers

of the inheritance

of the saints in light:

13 Who hath delivered us

from the power of darkness,

and hath translated us

into the kingdom

of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption

through his blood,

even the forgiveness of sins:”                Colossians 1:9-14

Forgiveness of SINS–God forgives our sins–when we are born again by the blood of Jesus–when we are “delivered…from the power of darkness” and are “translated… into the kingdom of HIS dear Son”!  God said it–Jesus did it–and you can have it!  Paul goes on in his letter to the Roman believers to assure us of our place before God, and our freedom to stand without condemnation–not people’s, not Satan’s and NO, not even our own heart and mind!  When we know God’s truth we can stand in confidence of our state before God!

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free

from the law of sin and death…

…. 37 Nay, in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded,

that neither death,

nor life,

nor angels,

nor principalities,

nor powers,

nor things present,

nor things to come,

39 Nor height,

nor depth,

nor any other creature,

shall be able to separate us

from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”                      Romans 8:1-2 & 37-39

This new life is in Jesus and He describes it better than I could:

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.”  John 10:9-10

 So, in conclusion, I would like to encourage you to remember that your confidence is in The One who gave HIS life for yours!  His forgiveness places your sin at the bottom of the sea, and as Corrie Ten Boom used to say, “He puts up a ‘no fishin’ sign!”  So stand fast in the evil day and don’t let Satan or people cause you to doubt the scope of the forgiveness that Jesus provided at Calvary!  If you belong to Jesus, you are forgiven and no matter the ’unforgiveness of others’, your place is secure, and you can stand fast in JESUS!

“To open their eyes,

and to turn them

from darkness

to light,

and from the power of Satan

unto God,

that they may receive forgiveness

of sins,

and inheritance

among them which are sanctified

by faith that is in me.”  Acts 26:18

“I write unto you, little children,

because your sins are forgiven you

for his name’s sake.”  1 John 2:12

Jesus sums it all up:

“When Jesus had lifted up himself,

and saw none but the woman, he said unto her,

Woman, where are those thine accusers?

hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord.

And Jesus said unto her,

Neither do I condemn thee:

go, and sin no more.”  John 8:10-11

 I’m forgiven, how about you?  Amen and Amen!!!