Do you find, like I do, that it is pretty easy to remember some mistakes you've made, some sinful ways of speaking, thinking or acting. At my stage of life there is a lot I've forgotten - both good and bad. Yet some sins of thought, word or action come back occasionally to my mind - and for a moment sadden me. Unfortunately, since our sin often hurts others, there must be people out there who also remember some pain I caused by hurtful words or selfish actions.
Jeremiah spends a large part of his prophecies castigating (I don't use that word often) the people of Israel because of their sins. He tells them that God is angry, that He has been punishing them and will continue to punish them because of their sin and rebellion. Their injustice, their immorality, their idolatry has been seen and condemned by their Holy God.
Yet in mercy, God offers them forgiveness. God's grace and forgiveness are marvellous. The Bible uses a variety of pictures to describe how large and complete God's forgiveness is. I was warmed this morning as I read one picture of this today.
Imagine that! After such blatant rebellion, after the "in your face" rejection of God, His laws and His righteousness; after all that was so offensive to our Holy God; when a search is made, there is no evidence of the sin and rebellion of Judah and Israel! That was God's promise to Israel in the midst of the pain they were experiencing due to their sin and rebellion.
By faith in Jesus Christ, upon confession and repentance, our sins are forgiven and forgotten. They in effect disappear. I may remember and wince. Others may remember and feel lingering pain and possibly (I hope not) lingering resentment. But when search is made for my sin and guilt - all evidence has been erased by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ! In the court of God's holy justice, no evidence, no charge, no guilt. For you, for me for all who truly trust Him: "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
Like the remnant of Israel, you and I are absolutely and totally forgiven - forever! Amazing Grace!
Jeremiah spends a large part of his prophecies castigating (I don't use that word often) the people of Israel because of their sins. He tells them that God is angry, that He has been punishing them and will continue to punish them because of their sin and rebellion. Their injustice, their immorality, their idolatry has been seen and condemned by their Holy God.
Yet in mercy, God offers them forgiveness. God's grace and forgiveness are marvellous. The Bible uses a variety of pictures to describe how large and complete God's forgiveness is. I was warmed this morning as I read one picture of this today.
"In those days, at that time,”
declares the Lord,
“search will be made for Israel’s guilt,
but there will be none,
and for the sins of Judah,
but none will be found,
for I will forgive the remnant I spare." Jeremiah 50:20
declares the Lord,
“search will be made for Israel’s guilt,
but there will be none,
and for the sins of Judah,
but none will be found,
for I will forgive the remnant I spare." Jeremiah 50:20
Imagine that! After such blatant rebellion, after the "in your face" rejection of God, His laws and His righteousness; after all that was so offensive to our Holy God; when a search is made, there is no evidence of the sin and rebellion of Judah and Israel! That was God's promise to Israel in the midst of the pain they were experiencing due to their sin and rebellion.
By faith in Jesus Christ, upon confession and repentance, our sins are forgiven and forgotten. They in effect disappear. I may remember and wince. Others may remember and feel lingering pain and possibly (I hope not) lingering resentment. But when search is made for my sin and guilt - all evidence has been erased by the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ! In the court of God's holy justice, no evidence, no charge, no guilt. For you, for me for all who truly trust Him: "There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1
Like the remnant of Israel, you and I are absolutely and totally forgiven - forever! Amazing Grace!
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