Happy New Year

Good Morning! 

Happy New Year!!! 

Aren’t you glad for new beginnings?  Of course, life doesn’t have “do overs” … we bear the responsibility for what we have done.  All we can do, when we have done something that hurts another is recognize our guilt and ask for forgiveness.  This is what 1^st John 1:9 is all about … recognizing guilt, seeking forgiveness … and receiving it. Although it is a familiar verse, let’s take a look at it to begin 2020:

1 John 1:5-10 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Confession is coming to an agreement between two parties … the party offended and the offending party.  John is saying that when we realize that we have offended God and agree that we are guilty, God, who loves us in spite of our actions, both forgives us AND forgets the attitude and the action that was offensive to Him. 

Forgiveness is a decision to release the offender from his or her guilt.  But the decision to do so has an even greater benefit … it releases the offended from focusing on what has been done to him or her.  God chooses to clean out ALL the remnants of our offense when He forgives us.  (As you might imagine, just thinking about this brings to mind an old gospel song that has the refrain:

What sins are you talking about

I don’t remember them anymore

From the book of Life they’ve all been wiped out

I don’t remember them anymore.

So, what does this have to do with our today?  Well, we are beginning a new year.  Isn’t this a good time to do some spiritual house cleaning.  I am sure that our first thoughts will be on where we have been offended.  How about just “releasing” those thoughts … cleaning out the drawer labeled “I’ve Been Offended”.   

Next, let’s be honest with ourselves.  We are human … and sometimes can be inconsiderate of others.  We forget to do things we should do.  We do things we shouldn’t do.  Sometimes … well, maybe more than sometimes … we think about Number One too much.  If, when you are going through your drawer labeled “Offenses”, you find some that you haven’t dealt with, take a moment to make a note to come to agreement with that person or those persons.  You may or may not receive forgiveness … but you will feel better.

May God bless each of us this coming year.  May our hearts be attuned to His will and His ways. And may we lift Christ high each day so that those around us may see Him and be drawn to the new life He offers to all.

Agape’

Mr. Jim

  

Prayer:  As we begin a new year, dear Father, let us be sensitive to Your desires for each one of us. And may we be responsive to Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for today:  1 John 1:5-10