Daily Devotional March 5th 2021: Backsliders - #MeToo Part 1 (2)

During my journey to understanding and righteousness, living as a Christian, I, too, had my episodes of sinful behavior. Professional success and party attitudes had led me to wake up with hangovers, trying to cope with the guilt that followed. Drugs, rock 'n' roll, and the pursuit of ladies instead of God had me forsake the Word of God during that time. When I would normally start my day with Scripture, I could now not face the truth of God's condemnation for my behavior. I would hang my head in shame, trying to hide from God, though I knew I could never hide from my Creator. 

When I was little, at six years old, my parents divorced. They shipped me off to my grandparents, evangelic Christians, some 200 miles away from home. I recall one morning when we went to church; there, above the altar, was a gigantic, painted eye. I asked nana: What is that enormous eye for? She responded somberly: It is the eye of God; He sees everything. Suddenly, I was afraid, and I didn't like God, even though I didn't know Him either. 

Hebrews 4:13 - 4:15
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 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.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.

But back to four years ago, six years after I became a Christian; my imperfection became evident. By the grace of God, my chasing the Ladies didn't result in the sin of fornication. God, by His mercy, prevented it. I am grateful. The Ladies were not. I have since woken up to my betrayal of God and committed myself to not putting myself in this situation again. The consumption of alcohol and drugs opens a door that some may not be able to close. Jesus can, though. But if we cut Jesus out of our lives and disregard His path, where do we think we will end up?

Revelation 3:8
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

I since repented of my sinful ways. Even last night, the Holy Spirit reminded me of something dishonorable I had done 30 years ago but had forgotten about. I repented for this also and thanked God for His patience with me, and his mercy to save me, regardless of what I had done. Indeed, no matter what we have done, God will forgive us and open the door to Heaven if we acknowledge Jesus and repent of our sins. If Adolf Hitler, who escaped to Argentina and died there peacefully in the early 1960s, found Jesus, yes, God would forgive him, too. So, no matter what we have done, there is always a path back to the righteousness of God. The confession that Jesus is the Son of God convicts us to repent.

1 John 4:15
“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

Romans 10:9
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Looking back, I am reminded of the (true) story of the Prodigal son. It could well have been me.

Luke 15:11 - 15:32
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to [his] father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth [to me]. And he divided unto them [his] living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to [his] father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Have you repented of past behavior? Have you asked God for forgiveness as you closed your eyes last night? By the way, asking our Heavenly Father once for the forgiveness of a particular deed is enough. Imagine coming to your earthly father and asking for forgivensss of the same thing over and over again. Once repented and forgiven, and you're as white as snow.

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Praise God!

I regret many things I have done in my past. At the same time, I am joyful because God, in His mercy, has forgiven me because I repented and vowed not to live a sinful life anymore. I have turned from my wicked ways. If you are in Christ, there is no condemnation. That's what makes me humbly thank Jesus for His sacrifice because He has paid for my sins so I don't have to.

Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Which way will you go?

How to Pray

Address our Heavenly Father, and pray in the name of Jesus.
Bless God and worship Him in every prayer.
Praise God before you ask for anything because He is worthy.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will bring to remembrance every sin you have committed, so that you may repent and be forgiven, repenting for each sin, one at a time as the Holy Spirit leads you. 
Pray, that you follow the statues of our Lord and Savior, so that you may not grieve the Holy Spirit.
Pray that the sin appears as abominable to you as it is to the LORD.
That we when successful may remain humble, weather temptation, and always speak the truth in love. 

Malachi 3:7
“Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?”

In Jesus' name
Amen

#Devotional #Scripture4TheDay #justice #repentance #forgiveness #freedom #sin

Please join our prayer group, a powerful force in the battle against the enemy. Send your personal prayer requests to me via DM, and I commit to praying for you. Let me know if you would like it to be included in the monthly Prayer Chain to have many more pray for your cause.

Link to Prayer Warrior Group
Link to Prayer Chain March 2021