Scripture

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

~Psalm 32:1, NIV

Quote

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
~C. S. Lewis

 

NASA is a common acronym for National Aeronautic Space Administration, but it is also a Hebrew word that is used sometime, not often, for forgiveness. It means to lift, to bear up, to take away. Remember the story of Cain and Abel. Cain became angry with God and took it out on his brother, who by the way was totally innocent. Cain murdered his brother in cold blood but then he felt the unyeilding guilt that goes with such a sin. In Genesis 4:13 he says, “My guilt is greater than I can bear.” Guilt is a burden; it is a crushing weight. Psalm 32 is the confession of David who bore the same guilt as Cain. David murdered Bathsheba’s husband, not that she cared. She knew what David would do once he knew she was pregnant. Of course she could have been stoned to death for adultery had she not went to David. The whole thing is a sorted affair. We don’t know how long David attempted to keep this sin covered but it became a huge weight on his conscience. Then he was confronted by the prophet, he confessed and God forgave him. He lifted this weight of guilt off of David’s shoulders.

Forgiveness is a gift that cannot be earned. David in no wise deserved to be forgiven. Forgiveness will not happen until we get honest with God. David finally acknowledged his sin and confessed. He agreed with God that what he had done was wicked and wrong. Sorry folks, but I see very little integrity these days. I must confess that I think most professed Christians are playing a game or acting a part. With every true believer, there must be honest confession. We are not saved by our confession or our faith: Jesus is the Savior, but we will not be saved without confession, faith and repentance. Now you can confess and repent and still not be saved. The Prodigal confessed, repented and then went straight to the Merciful Father. We must confess, repent and turn to Jesus.

To be honest I am not seeing any of the three. Making vows to God, teaching SS, memorizes scripture, attending worship, witnessing: none of these things save us. Some people have incredible will power. They can decide to change and change. They become a goody two-shoes or a pharisee. They are hard on everyone who doesn’t do as they do. Their last state is worse than the first because they repented but did not surrender their life to Christ. {Matthew 12:45}

NASA means that God can lift this damning guilt off of our shoulders. Get honest with God, let Him have your sin and your heart.

Extra

Billy Parker should come home from HH today. I think Dot Burgess got to go home yesterday but that may mean to her daughter Carol. Christy has had a better week than last and Charity has to have an MRI today I think. I think Mickey Hembree is still in HH. Joe David was in Atlanta yesterday and he will be visiting today which means I will know more tomorrow. I found me a new Chiropractor in Cullman and have had one adjustment and go back for another today. I feel 1005% better already. Get this, $15 co-pay and they wanted $80 in Hartselle.

I hope you have a good day and thanks for reading the blog.

Extra/Extra

Additional scriptures for todays blog are Hebrews 9:28 and 2 Cor. 5:21. Keep in mind that in the old covenant sacrificial system, the sinner could bring his/her sacrifice to the altar [the sacrificial animal or bird represented their sin] but they were not allowed to approach the alter or do the sacrifice themselves. They simply gave their sacrifice to the officiating priest. We can’t do anything about our sin other than bring it to Jesus. We cannot atone for it, we can’t cleanse it, we can’t forgive it, we cannot overcome it or bear it away: only Jesus can do those things. Hallelujah, what a Savior!