Daily Devotional

YOU CANNOT REPAY GOD FOR YOUR SINS

April 1

eloved, do you like the idea of having a new beginning in life? If you do you are most fortunate. When a person comes into a relationship of true forgiveness and blessing through confession and repentance of sins by Jesus' name, that person immediately has ALL past sins removed from him/her forever "as far as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12) Now it is rather strange how Christians (who don't seem to take seriously enough the power of the precious blood of Jesus, or those who seem to want to make themselves pay for past sins), tend to take condemnation to themselves. What would cause a child of the King washed in the blood of the Lamb to discredit the power of that sacrificial payment by remembering their own past sins and continuing to make themselves suffer over that memory? In fact, that Christian is remembering and condemning himself over something that no longer exists! Your Father will not remember your sins since He perfectly forgave them and removed them by the irresistible power of the blood of His Son Jesus. This is such wonderful news that I think that some children of God fail to really take this into the depths of their hearts, rejoicing over the reality of this fact. What about you? Why don't you make the following confession: "Father, in the name of Jesus I repent for trying to make myself repay repeatedly for my past sins. I am not guilty! Jesus my Lord paid in full for my sins. I will release myself, forgive myself, forget them and allow myself to have a great, powerful new beginning as a child of the King!" Of course, one of the reasons for the belief that the old sins weren't really removed fully is because of "repeat performances." That is, since some of the old sins are repeated now, the child of God takes condemnation from Satan who says, "See, you weren't ever forgiven in the first place!" This is a lie straight from the pit of hell! If you are discouraged and sin in the present you may be demoralized and the burden and depression from that sin may cause you to feel that you were never forgiven. Here's how to handle that: Say, "Father, in Jesus name, I was forgiven in the first place, and I will not use this personal failure in sinning to invite the Devil to steal from me my walk in the Holy Spirit. I will get right back up on my feet, I will confess again and repent of this new sin and I will ask you to come to me and strengthen me in my walk. Help me Father to hate what you hate and love what you love. I am serious Father! I believe that you will not only forgive me, but you will “cleanse me from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9 NKJV) What a Great and Loving God I serve!" Little by little, slowly but surely child, you will grow in peace and confidence that you don't have to play this game of guilt and you will escape the attacks of the devil.

Prayer

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Father, I am now and forever free of my past sins. I know that you will guide me by the Holy Spirit out of the land of condemnation into a land of true joy and victory in Jesus! I am ready, Father. I want to go on to better things in the Lord, in Jesus’ name, amen!