He Forgave Me

Devotional

Paul writes “Oh wretched man that I am” when he considers how his earthly nature battles with his regenerate one. We may well know the right path to choose, but when we look to ourselves for the resources to conquer sin and fear, we find nothing but treachery and failure. When we look to Christ, and trust ourselves to him, he reforms us by His Spirit, and gives us strength in our weakness. Indeed, it is in the very recognition of our weakness that we are able to draw supernatural strength for every duty. But even if we were to receive a superabundance of strength, enough to remain pure and righteous for the rest of our days, there would still be the matter of our former sins to consider – those who stole from a shop yesterday, cannot expect the shopkeeper to serve them the next, simply because today they offer to pay. Indeed, the offer itself is an affront. Seeing our desperation, Christ bought forgiveness for ALL our sins on the cross, having enough righteousness to settle all accounts, past, present and future. Now we can continue free of the burden terrible fear of God’s judgement. Let us reflect on our debts that have been paid, and look to Christ for our guidance and strength. For Christ died for sins, once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. If Christ was put to death in the body, he was also made alive in the Spirit.