Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:36, New King James Version)
Let me start out by saying that if you've excepted Christ as your savior, YOU ARE FREE!!!! That's enough and we could stop right there. But... In our sermon at church last night, we were taught that, yes, we may be saved, but we have sins that we need to be freed from. I didn't say forgiven, because we were forgiven of every sin we've ever committed when we excepted the Lord. And even when we become Christians, we will still be forgiven of our sin...when we ask for forgiveness. Ladies, you see, when we sin and don't ask for God's forgiveness for that sin, we're held in bondage to it. And you know what? Until we ask for forgiveness and get that issue resolved, whatever we do for the Lord counts for nothing. Is their something today that you need to ask for forgiveness for? Maybe it's anger that's built up inside of you. Maybe it's that you've betrayed somebody. Maybe it's gossip. Let me encourage you, whatever that is, ask for forgiveness today!
Father, we ask Your forgiveness for any sin that we've committed. We ask that you cleanse us so that we may serve You with a pure heart. Lord thank you for the forgiveness that you provided us on the cross 2000 years ago. We love You and we praise You. Amen.
Great post, Jamie! And may He reveal the sinful attitudes that might not be evident. Those deep "heart issues" can take root and bear some ugly fruit if we're not careful.
ReplyDeleteIn my current Bible study that I'm doing with Christian Communicators graduate, Shannon Mullins, she pointed out today that the scapegoat took the GUILT and carried it to the wilderness, to be gone forever. I'd never thought of it that way! I knew he took the sin, but never considered that he took the feelings of guilt!
ReplyDeleteYes, we're free indeed!
You are so right when you say that our sins hold us in bondage, keeping us from walking in the complete freedom Jesus offers. "Lord, open our eyes to see the chains that keep us bound when we fail to surrender it all to You." Thanks Jamie. You are a blessing!
ReplyDelete