Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
“Papa! Help me!” I screamed. When I was about 4 or 5 years
old my grandfather made me catch my first fish. That’s right, I said “made.” He
had taken me fishing since I was able to stand and had helped me catch many,
many fish but this was the first time he wouldn’t help me. The fish on my line
was so large that it was about to pull me in! As I cried for help he just
laughed and said, “You can do it.” Finally, the fish was subdued. I was the
champion. That was the biggest 2 pound fish I ever caught!
The Bible says that when God forgives our sins He sends them
to the bottom of the ocean.
Micah 7:19 - You will
again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our
iniquities into the depths of the sea.
We shouldn’t be
fishing them back out. We are called to be fishers of men, not fishers of
sin. Stop punishing yourself and/or others for past sins. You may have a
difficult time accepting God’s forgiveness because what you have done was
especially shameful or detrimental to yourself and others. There may be
constant reminders like consequences, negative thoughts or the reproach of
others. Here’s what God says about that: if you are in Christ Jesus, there is
now no condemnation for you. None. Listen to some of the terms used by God to
describe you now: free, glorified, delivered, and loved by God.
All of these apply to you… and to other brothers and sisters
in Christ. Not only do you need to trust in God’s forgiveness for yourself, but
also for them. Jesus shed His blood to pay for their sins and we need to accept
that, honor that and set them free just like He did.
Galatians 5:1 – It is
for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let
yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
We need to uplift one another, encourage one another! The
Bible says that our love for each other will be one of the things that attracts
the lost to Christ. Isn’t that great? When Jesus called us to be fishers of men
that’s the bait He wanted us to use – LOVE. If you feel a tug on your line and
it’s something bad from your past just tell that stinky old fish what God says
about you now and you’ll have that sucker for dinner! And if it’s about someone
else, you need to throw that fish back in the sea and never reel it in again. Give
that person a hug and tell them you love them and appreciate them. You’ll be
amazed at the healing power that comes from forgiveness.
God’s favor and blessings to you my brother or sister – you
are free! Now, what’s for dinner? Fish???
