Have you ever gotten your hand caught in the cookie jar? You know the feeling...we thought no one would know, but then, they did.
- The police officer clocked us going way over the limit, and soon flashing lights were in our rearview mirror, and we had to pull over.
- It was "just one peek" to our neighbor's test, but the teacher/professor saw it, and our grade resulted in an 'F".
Caught and faced with our sin--Where do we go from there?
We have a choice in that moment and in our life afterwards--what will it be?
I pray that with the speeding ticket or the failed test, or whatever sin we get caught in...we will always know that we have a loving God who forgives us when we repent, and He is waiting to walk with us as we start over fresh.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. ~I John 1:9
Will we mess up?
Yes. We all know that because we all have...and do.
But...what if it's big? Have we fallen short in a big way before God? Like--really big? We have a choice in that moment and in our life afterwards--what will it be?
Judas and Peter both betrayed Jesus. In big ways.
Jesus loved them both, and the forgiveness of God was always theirs to receive.
But these two men made two different choices with their guilt and their lives. Caught and faced with our sin: Where do we go from there? Judas went one way (his), because he did not accept the forgiveness of God.
And Peter struggled with the guilt, but then he went God's way, because he accepted the forgiveness of God.
Judas: Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. (2) So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
(3) When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. (4) “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
(5) So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. ~Matthew 27:1-5
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Peter: Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
(70) But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
(71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. (75) Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. ~Matthew 26:69-75
Peter wept bitterly in remorse, and then (in time), he turned back to Jesus and was fueled for a lifetime of service to His Savior.
In guilt and a lack of receiving God's forgiveness--Judas put himself to death.
However, in receiving the mercy and forgiveness of Jesus, Peter chose life in Christ.
Regardless of how short we fall before Christ today, He extends mercy and forgiveness to us. Choose life (not death) in Christ today!
~~~
We each know that none of us are without sin...and God knows that too.
...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... ~Romans. 3:23
And yet, while we will fall short of the glory of God, His forgiveness is real and repetitive and unending.
He will give us another chance to live for Him...and another chance...and another chance. His mercies are new every time and every morning.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. (23) They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~Lamentations 3:22-23
We cannot allow ourselves to be consumed by our guilt. ...By our unworthiness before God. ...Or by our sin.
The reality of our short-comings before the Lord is real. But the reality of God's forgiveness and mercy over us (after our repentance) is also equally real.
Fight the demons of the darkness today by shining the light of the Lord into our sinful corners. Have we fallen short? Yes.
But, does God forgive us? Yes.
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” ~John 8:11
Caught and faced with our sin--Where do we go from there?
We have a choice in that moment and in our life afterwards--what will it be? Do not be consumed today. Move forward with Jesus. He is forgiving and faithful.
Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. (19) 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! ~Micah 7:18-19
In the reality of our shortcomings before God today, what are we going to "go away and" do?
We have a choice in that moment and in our life afterwards--what will it be?
Accept God's forgiveness and mercy today and let's be fueled for a lifetime of service to our Savior. Choose life (not death) in Christ today!
Blessings,
sarah
https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com
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