October 2 – Run to God
Dear Marisa,
«If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.»
(1 John 1:9)
It’s wonderful to know you’ve been set free from the law of sin and death. It’s glorious to know you never again have to submit to the slavery of sin. But what do you do when, in spite of those wonderful, glorious truths, you still miss the mark? What do you do when you stumble and fall into sin?
Run to your Father and repent!
That sounds simple. But oddly enough we often do just the opposite. Instead of running to God, we let fear and guilt drive us further and further from Him. We start thinking things like, «Well, I’ve missed it now. I might as well forget the rest of it and live like the devil.»
Don’t make that mistake. Don’t let Satan talk you into sinning in one area of your life just because you missed it in another. When you get off track with God, just confess it and get right back on.
«But, Brother Copeland, I feel so guilty when I tell God what I’ve done that it’s hard for me to make myself do it.»
I know. I used to feel that way too. Then, one day, God said to me, «Kenneth, when you confessed that sin wasn’t when I found out about it. I knew about it all the time! When you confessed it is when you got rid of it, when you were cleansed of its effects in your life.»
When you make a mistake, when you miss the mark, remember, you have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous (1 John 2:1). Run to Him! He knows what you are going through. You don’t need to be afraid. He didn’t tear you apart for the sins you committed before you made Him Lord of your life, did He? Then how much more merciful and loving do you think He’ll be now that you’re His own? Now that you’re reaching out for Him and have a heart for Him?
Don’t run from God. Run to Him. Receive His forgiveness. Receive His cleansing. No matter how badly you’ve sinned, He’s eager to forgive and to cleanse you of all unrighteousness.
