The Settled Account

      Every now and then, you come across some action in your life whereby you say, "Oops."  We know what it means when we hear that little word.  Something is taking place that isn't supposed to take place.   There is a second expression that we use when we say, "Oh, oh." When it happens, you know you are in deep trouble and you know it without a doubt.  A good example is when you are driving along, going down hill, letting the car coast and all of a sudden you notice that State Trooper sitting along the edge of the road, his car pointed in your direction with that cylinder hanging on the side of the window.  You glance down at your speedometer and notice that you are well over the speed limit.  You might then say, "Oops."  As you go by, you look in your mirror to see if his cruiser comes onto the highway with his lights on.  You wish you could back to the top of the hill and start over, but you can't.  What's done is done.  There are some things in life whereby you do something and then wish you hadn't done it.  The only thing you can do is to ask for forgiveness and hope that the other accepts your offer.  Romans 4:5-7 says, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,  Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered."  
     These verses are speaking of much more than going over the speed limit.  They are speaking about issues of life that if they go unchecked will have severe consequences.  You don't want to leave God out of this equation.  In the first place, you are asking God to forgive you for all of your sin, past, present and future.  That is salvation.  The burden of sin has caused you to hang your head low and a deep feeling of despair to come over you.  The need for forgiveness is great in your life.  At first, you may try other things to try to get rid of the guilt.  There is nothing that you can do other than to come to the One why has been wronged by your actions and to plead for forgiveness.  God has made forgiveness available to all those that call upon Him.  So, you come with true repentance in your heart and a desire to walk in a different way from that moment on.  The verse that says, "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered," sparks a promise that is great to each one who sees it.  Your sins can be forgiven and they can be covered.  The payment that Jesus Christ made on the cross was sufficient to cover the cost of your sins.  The feeling of guilt is gone and you can now lift your head high knowing what God has done for you and it was completely without your help.   Our sins are now paid for and as far from us as the East is from the West.   Secondly, forgiveness can come each and every day as true repentance is present for sins that are committed throughout our daily lives.  So, praise God today for the fact that true forgiveness is possible.  Praise Him for the cross and the empty tomb.