This afternoon at a local festival, I joined with other believers in my neighbourhood to give away free Christian literatures, tracts and CDs. This young man came and insisted to pay for whatever we give. We explained to him gently that these materials are free and he should pick as much as he is able to read. He declined to receive any unless he pays.
He was insistent. I felt within me there is more to this. I followed him and asked to have a chat. To my shock, he asked me "Do you want to preach to me?" I said 'no'. He then told me to listen. He said he is a backslider and he thinks he has been so ungrateful to God. He said he is not sure whether God will still forgive him or accept him back into the kingdom after he's messed up so badly. Guilt and shame would not allow him to have any thing from God free as he has judged himself undeserving of mercy.
My response to him was that his feelings and judgement of himself could be true but not according to the power of God's love and mercy. I explained that Satan had lied to him that he cannot be forgiven and restored. I reminded him of Isaiah 1:18-20. No matter the depth of his backsliding and how badly he thinks he has messed up, the power in the blood of Jesus is still able to wash him clean and restore him to a joyous and flourishing and fulfilling relationship with his heavenly father.
Struggling through unbelief and doubt due to the weight of sin that is starring him in the face, coupled with the damning voice of the enemy saying God cannot receive him as he is, with tears about to drop from his eyes he asked me "are you sure God will take me back?" Already getting teary myself, I replied yes. I saw a man broken, a man sorrowful, a man crying out to God for mercy, a man wishing he never walked away from his loving heavenly father, a man waiting and longing for speedy restoration. I handed him over to a local pastor standing by who finished up the conversation and prayed with him.
This pastor is now following up on him. I am sure God's got him back today. My sister, how far have you gone? How deep have you sinned? Since when have you felt disconnected from HIM? How long more are you willing to keep up appearances? You must not be caught without HIM. That will be an eternal disaster. You cannot continue putting up with the lie that God cannot forgive. He is waiting and willing to forgive you and take you back. Do not try to put things right on your own because you cannot.
Try to call on Jesus, your Christ, tell him everything you have done/doing, tell him to safe you from yourself. Do not even try to justify your wrongdoings and making out reasons/excuses will not help. Tell it as it is and lay it all bear before him. He knows everything even before you start to pray. REPENT AND YOU WILL BE FORGIVEN. God is love, and He wants to pour this love upon you. Satan knows if you do this you will be forgiven restored and saved, that is why he's been lying to you. Jesus is the TRUTH. Let this truth set you free.
I have been there and I know what it feels to be drowning in sin and yet living a lie. That day, at night, when I gave it all to JESUS, sin lost its grip, immediately I became free. I felt it and knew it and I began to live it. Ever since, the truth in Christ beams God's light on sin, I can easily recognise my old ways when its coming and I just run to Christ who is my strength. From Him, I get empowered to look sin in the face and say NO. I now have a victorious Christian life through the power of the HolySpirit at work in me.
This message is for somebody today. I cannot wait till tomorrow as it may be late for someone out there this time tomorrow. Today is the day of salvation. The time of the Lord is drawing near. He that has ears please heed. Be a wise virgin, put oil in your lamp while it is still day. If this message has ministered to you, please just roll on your knees and pour your heart out to Jesus. Have a little talk with Jesus. Get every help from within the body of Christ and do all within you to remain steadfast and immovable.
The pleasures of this world are fast passing away and you are growing older each day. Your name must not be blotted out of God's book of life. I want to hold you tight, give you a big hug and tell you Jesus cares for you.
Now, unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, to God, the immortal, the invisible and only wise, I commit your soul. AMEN.
No comments:
Post a Comment