Gone!

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23)

Since that first bite of the apple in the Garden of Eden, we have all been tempted and have, from time to time, fallen short into sin. But the sacrifice and price Jesus paid at The Cross has made a difference in our lives. Micah 7:19 says, “Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!” An old song by the Speer Family says, “What sins are you talking about? I don’t remember them anymore. From the book of life, they’ve all been torn out. I don’t remember them anymore.” This is good news. We know that when we sin, our loving God is there and will forgive us when we ask.

I got an updated vision of God’s forgiveness recently to go along with these examples above.
 Imagine this: You’re with Jesus who is sitting at His computer. He searches your name and the sins you’ve committed. You look over His shoulder and are shocked, troubled and embarrassed at what you see. You say, “Oh Jesus, I am so sorry. Please forgive me!” He looks up at you and says, “I forgive you.” Then, He looks back at the screen, puts His hand on the mouse, highlights all your sins then…hits, DELETE! As tears well up in your eyes, you say, “Thank You, thank You Jesus!” He stands up, turns to face you and stretches out His arms to embrace you in a loving hug. Then He says, “Now, let’s go on and I’ll help you to stay clean.”

Where are we in these scenarios? Be encouraged by these verses. “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” (Isaiah 43:25). “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19). “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.” “Hide your face from my sin and blot out all my iniquity.” (Psalm 51:1, 9). Be sure to be sincere and ask forgiveness today and every day.