Coming Back to God

Forgiveness and reconciliation are essential for salvation. The Apostle Paul implores us to be reconciled so a right standing with God can be achieved. Reconciliation requires God’s forgiveness. It clears away guilt for sin committed against God that has become an obstacle to fellowship with him. Confession of sins sets the stage for reconciliation.

 

Repentance is more than feeling sorry for sins. It involves a commitment to change your attitude about sin, to see sin as evil and responsible for creating the wall that separated you from God. Because of his great love for you, the Lord is willing to help you achieve reconciliation if you desire it with all your heart.

       

In addition to forgiveness’ liberating your soul from sin, forgiveness empowers you to eternally redefine yourself in the light of God’s love and mercy. God will never let you go. He intends for you to strengthen your fellowship with him so that the righteousness of Christ Jesus in you becomes evident to others. They will desire to have what you have.  

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Everything that we have – right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start – comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.

~1 Corinthians 1:30 The Message

Become a friend with God; he’s already a friend with you. “How?” you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.

~2 Corinthians 5:20-21 The Message

       

Allow Your Conscience to Accuse or Excuse - Part 3

The Apostle Paul consistently encourages us to assess what we’re striving to acquire, and at what price? C. S. Lewis noted, “We’re all given to seeking after material possessions and even conversion does not at once work the infection out of our system.” What gave the Apostle Paul the will to press on toward the mark of his high calling in Jesus Christ?

The Apostle Paul’s usage of the words “press on” implies being consistently vigilant to accomplish God’s purpose with no consideration of giving up. The conscience, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, helps us choose what is good, righteous and godly and then stay focused.

Ignoring the conscience disrupts fellowship with oneself, significant others, and God the Father. The voice of conscience, permeated by the Holy Spirit, speaks to alert us when there is danger of going against the conscience’s directives. Christ Jesus instills in us his righteousness to strengthen our conscience to ensure that fellowship between us and God the Father continues. Isn’t that a wonderful thought?