Grace that is Greater than All Our Sins
PSALM 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12
MICAH 7:18
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” – Micah 7:18
EPHESIANS 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” – Ephesians 1:7
ISAIAH 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” – Isaiah 1:18
I mentioned in previous devotionals that the hymns of my youth are really coming to the forefront of my memory. “Grace Greater Than Our Sin” was written by Julia Johnston in 1910, and it reminds us that whatever the sin, it is covered by the blood of Jesus.
One thing I love about our traditional hymns is the way the majority of them are so grounded in the Scriptures. May I share with you that as a pastor, whose primary ministry was focused on the elderly, I have witnessed those whose memory was attacked and altered by dementia. Yet, those whose foundation was in God and who learned these old hymns in their youth still remembered the songs AND they still remembered the Scriptures.
Many churches, including Rock Creek, have shifted from Chancel Choirs to Praise Bands. I have to tell you the more people I meet in our praise band, the more I love the music. The people have a genuine love for Christ and the fellowship I feel with them draws me into worship. I arrive each Sunday eager to add to the worship experience, if not with my singing, then with my prayers and my praise.
But until Sunday, allow me to close with the previously mentioned hymn.
1 Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out-poured–
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.
Refrain:
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Repentance, Redemption, Restoration
(NRSV) Romans 5:8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life.
(NRSV) 1John 1:8 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 who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I read this recently by Victor Nunez: We have not lost our justification if we’re children of God, but we can compromise the process of our sanctification if we backslide and hinder our relationship with Jesus Christ. However, Jesus Christ can still redeem us and restore us through repentance, confession, forgiveness, and obedience over time.
The term “backsliding” is not often used in today’s lexicon. However, it so clearly reflects the state in which we find ourselves when we turn away from holiness and toward the sin that once held us captive. I believe three of the sweetest words in the human language are repentance, redemption and restoration. If we say we are sorry but commit the same offense repeatedly, then we have not repented, which necessarily includes a turning away from sin. However, when our repentance is genuine, God is faithful to forgive, providing redemption and restoration.
I have mentioned before being a child and helping my mother affix green stamps into a book. The stamps were given as a “premium” at local grocery stores, and when the book was full, you could take it to a local redemption center to purchase any number of items for the home. I am so thankful we do not have to wait until our “book” is full before we can turn to God for redemption.
The restoration found in God does not just return us to our original state, but instead makes us better than before. If you have ever restored a piece of furniture, you know it is a multistage process. There is stripping of the old finish, sanding of any scars or blemishes, and finally applying a new finish. The restoration God provides may not be immediate, but oh it is worth the wait.
May we ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light of truth into our hearts so that we can offer true repentance, thereby receiving redemption which leads to a holy restoration.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Renewing our Faith
(NRSV) Matt 6
1 “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Concerning Prayer
5 “And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. 6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Today is the beginning of the Lenten season, a time of sacrifice and reflection. Over the next 40 days people around the world will intentionally seek after God. The imposition of ashes upon the forehead reminds us that we were formed in dust and to dust we will return. But that’s not the end of the story for Christ followers.
During Lent we choose something to give up—perhaps forego one meal per day. What can that accomplish? We can take the money we would have used to purchase that meal and donate it to a Food pantry. In place of that meal, we spend time praying, asking God to forgive us of our sins and help us draw closer to Him.
I love that every day we will be focused on building our relationship with God. Lent culminates with the celebration of Easter and the realization that because Christ lives, we íive.
Today’s scripture is a reminder that God desires genuine love and devotion. May this season of Lent result in a renewal of our understanding of Who God is, and who we are in Him.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heir of salvation, Purchase of God
Hebrews 1:4 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
2 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV) 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
Lately I have been singing the old hymns of my childhood. William Newells’ “At Calvary” is an ever-present melody, with its lyrics proclaiming mercy, grace and liberty. And “Blessed Assurance,” where Fanny Crosby reminds us we are “heirs of salvation, purchase of God.” Because God paid the extraordinary price of His own Son, we have the legal right to salvation.
As the writer of Hebrews said “we have so great a salvation,” yet some squander this great gift. I heard someone say recently she had been saved from her sins, but she had not been delivered from this world. What did she mean? She had accepted salvation but she had not yet turned her back on the allure of this world.
Paul said we must work out our salvation. The terms for our salvation were completed at Calvary, but I believe, in a way, we are saved daily as we give over our will to God and utilize the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the building up of the Kingdom. Every day.
May we begin each day by seeking His guidance, and end each day thanking him for His faithfulness.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Face Shining Like the Sun
Matthew 17:1-6 (NKJV) 1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
My father died October 30, 1971 from lung cancer. But eighteen months before he died, I came home from work to find Daddy unconscious and Mama frantic. I called his doctor whose office was just three blocks from our house. He refused to come, so I called my pastor who helped me get Daddy to the old VA Hospital.
In 1970 the other hospitals had vending machines for cigarettes, but not the VA. So the next morning, I stopped and bought Daddy some cigarettes. I entered the room, and Daddy’s face was shining like the sun. I handed him the cigarettes and he said, “I don’t want them, sugar baby. God touched me and I don’t want them anymore.” After smoking cigarettes for over forty years, Daddy gave up smoking cold turkey. That has been fifty-three years ago, and I can still his face, reflecting the very light of God.
When Jesus had Peter, James and John accompany Him to the mountaintop, He revealed the glory He had kept hidden. Why? Jesus knew His time was short, and these three disciples needed to carry the impact of Christ’s divinity with them for the rest of their lives.
May we treasure our mountaintop experiences with the Risen Savior even as we descend to the valley where most of life is lived, knowing that our personal transformation can only come through a saving relationship with Jesus.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 