I once spent an entire decade believing that I could not be forgiven by God. I thought that I had completely blown it, and that God had turned his face from me forever.
Why on earth would I believe that?
I think many former Jehovah’s Witnesses will be able to relate to this.
I had been taught that once you were disfellowshipped, the only way to be reinstated to the congregation was through a lengthy process, set in place to prove to everyone that you had repented. You had to sit alone at the back of the church for about a year. Family and friends could not talk to you. But once this was over, then you were welcomed back into God’s family. Then you were forgiven. Then you regained your eternal life.
But what about those of us who choose not to go back? What then? Will we never be forgiven? Will we miss out on eternal life? Is our relationship with God severed forever?
Sadly, I know that many of us have wondered about these questions and felt the absolute hopelessness that can result from them.
But God says:
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…”
Isaiah 49:15, 16 (NIV)
God loves his children. Even though he knew ahead of time that we would sin…repeatedly. He knew ahead of time that we would need a savior. He knew ahead of time that he would send his son to die, so that we could be forgiven and have a relationship with him.
1 John 1:9 (NIV) says,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
We can trust God to do exactly what he says. If we repent and turn away from our sins, he will forgive us. Instantly! No long shunning process. No waiting for people to agree with what God has already declared over us.
And if turning from your sins sounds hard, take it from someone who tried life both ways. If having free reign to do whatever I want means living for one second without him- he can have it!! Nothing compares with the peace and hope that comes from having a relationship with God.
My favorite parable that Jesus taught is in Luke 15: 4-7 (NIV):
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Jesus really does go after his lost sheep. I know, because this is exactly what happened to me.
One day, after about 10 years of not even being able to pray, I googled “best historical romance novel of all time”. To say that I love to read would be an understatement, and on this day, I was in the mood for a great new book.
The number one title that the search engine suggested surprised me. I had been expecting any number of classics that I had already read or at least heard of. But this book was completely new.
I decided to read it without looking into any further details, which was weird for me. Normally, I like to research new books to death until I am not even interested in reading them anymore. But I started to read this one, and here was the shocking part…it was written by a Chrisitan author and based on the Bible book of Hosea!
At the time, reading a Christian novel was the furthest thing from my mind. And I can venture to say that even though this book was well written, it was probably not the best historical romance of all time. But it was put on that list that day, by God, to get my attention.
It was the story of a girl who kept self-sabotaging and making horrible decisions because of her brokenness and shame from past mistakes. And it was the story of the faithfulness of her husband, even when she did not deserve it. Ultimately, it was the beautiful story of God’s forgiveness and love for his children.
I have never been the same since. I share this story to illustrate that God really does go after his lost sheep. He will use anything to get their attention. In addition to books, I have heard of him using people, songs, movies, commercials, billboards and maybe even unknown blogs (wink, wink).
Whatever, it takes. Because he loves you. He has engraved you on the palms of his hands.
Peace until next time!
Thank you for reading.