Your first step to being blessed – 18 August 2022
By Fanie Richter
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
1 kaJohane 1
NgokukaMathewu 6
One cannot live with the Lord and as part of God’s royal family without confession of sin and forgiveness – forgiveness through him, and for one another.
If you think you cannot be forgiven – do not think about God in human terms. We must not underestimate him! Consider Peter who fell at Jesus’ knees, crying out, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8) – how he became a leader among the disciples thereafter and failed during the imprisonment and crucifixion of Jesus. Think about what he became after that – in the early church and through his letters in the Bible. Also, consider Paul who thought of himself as the worst of sinners – and was redeemed, forgiven and sent out as an apostle of Christ.
Still others – Zacchaeus, Levi, the Samaritan woman at the well, the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes, and many more – set free and forgiven so that the power of sin no longer had the last word over their lives!
But we can only truly have forgiveness and peace when we also forgive everyone else. (Matthew 5:21-26)
Think about this … Think about yourself … Pray for forgiveness and forgive everyone you are unhappy with … and follow the Lord and King Jesus Christ, as reconciled to live with him in his kingdom – blessed to be a blessing.
Prayer: Lord, I dedicate myself to you anew. Please make it a reality in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
