“For what I received I passed on to you
as of first importance:
that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures”
(1 Corinthians 15:3)
Reflection:
Another message from the empty tomb is this one. Jesus Christ died for our sins. He died for all of our sins. He died for all of the sins of all of the people. And He died for all of the sins of all of the people for all time – past, present and future.
There is no sin or accumulation of sins left over in the tomb in a box marked unresolved – not one. There is no container marked with your name and the narration ‘not this one.’ As the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29) He duly took away the sin of the world fully and completely.
The absolute wonder of it all is that when we recognise our sin and turn towards Him in grief-stricken repentance He leads us to the cross on which He died and the tomb in which He lay. There He tells us that He has already dealt with the sin that is causing us such pain. He shows us that it is gone, and that the tomb that wanted to claim us is not closed and dark but light-filled and empty. Then He takes us through into the life that lies beyond it, starting here and now. And He does this every time.
John tells us very clearly that,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)
He does not say that Christ may forgive us but that He will. This is because that sin has already been dealt with. Our confession is the first step in our entering into the forgiveness that has already been provided and which awaits us. That’s why the full meaning of confession is to agree with God that we have sinned and to also agree with Him that forgiveness is already available to us through faith in Jesus Christ.
We may well weep our shame and grief before Him but we do not need to beg Him to forgive us –as if we were trying to persuade Him. If anything our plea should be for His help, for us to believe and receive His grace and loved-filled forgiveness and cleansing.
Response:
Don’t hold on to your sin and shame – take them to Him
Prayer:
Lord God please help me not to wallow in shame and grief. Draw me to You so that I may be set free to have another go at the life You have been pleased to grant me. Amen.
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The Soaring Eagle 