Saint, you are FORGIVEN.
I read this verse in a comment and just rejoiced all over again at the wild mercy of our wonderful God...
(Past sins) “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
(Present) and whose sins are covered.
(Future) Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” (Rom. 4:7-8 KJV)
I mean...think of it. All your secret shames, guilt, memories of sinful things you have said or done or wanted to do....FORGIVEN. In God's eyes you are as righteous as the Lord Jesus Christ. (See 2 Cor. 5:21)
Doesn't this make you want to pour your life out for God? How could we ever thank Him enough for what He has done? I could live a thousand human lifetimes and there would not be enough days to serve Him or to repay Him. But He doesn't ask that of us. So gently He says, "If you love me, keep my commandments." We love Him because He first loved us. I'm convinced that until we grasp the depth and breadth of His love, this will be something we strive and struggle with. But Jesus said....
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)
This is our Good Shepherd who makes us lie down in green pastures, leads us beside still waters, and restores our soul. If your Christian walk is not reflected in this, dear saint....."Learn from Me!" He says. Come to Him. You don't have to make your life whitewashed and perfect in your own strength. HE is the one who takes your sin and gives you His righteousness. HE is the one who leads you in paths of righteousness for HIS NAME'S SAKE. There is deep comfort in this. **He is jealous for His name!**
Trust Him and rest in Him. Abide in the Vine. Remember that "the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (From John 15)
REST. "For we which have believed do enter into rest...." (Heb. 4:3a)
Soak this in:
"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession."
It doesn't say to hold fast to your strivings and tryings to live right and stop sinning. It says to hold fast your profession....which is your testimony of faith! You are now a child of God, hidden with Christ in God! Read Romans 6, 7, and 8 over and over until the truth waters your parched soul!
"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (From Heb. 4)
Our beautiful High Priest, Jesus! Who is so compassionate, not condemning us, who invites us to come BOLDLY to the throne of grace. "That we might obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." If Jesus is offering mercy and grace in our time of need, how much better is this than our fleshly attempts to punish ourselves, condemn ourselves for our failures? Yes, He longs for us to walk in the Spirit and to live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present age. Guess how we learn this??? Not by our own efforts and strength or works of righteousness. But through His very grace that saves us.
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-13
"Come to Me!" He implores. "Learn of Me!" "Come boldly to the throne of grace!"
Dear saint, GOD IS FOR YOU. This is one of my favorite verses to meditate upon. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." (From Romans 8; please read the whole chapter!)
Once we are taught by grace—which can ONLY happen when we are born again of the Spirit, which means it is ESSENTIAL that we understand the message of the pure, simple gospel of Christ—then the life so many Christians strive for begins to blossom within as a work of the Holy Spirit. After all it is HIS FRUIT being born in us...not fruit of ourselves. So beloved....REST IN CHRIST. ABIDE IN CHRIST. Run boldly to the throne of grace. Rejoice in the God of your salvation!