Fear-what are you afraid of? #6

In our own sin, it is healthy to have a portion of fear, after all we are sinning against a Holy, Righteous, sinless God! BUT we should not have a hopeless fear because we serve a forgiving God!

1 Samuel 12:20

20 And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.

In the verse above, Israel had just decided and elected a King to rule them. Basically turning away from God and wanting to follow other nations lead in having a King lead them. They had sinned. Samuel hear tells them though, they have nothing to fear if they will follow the Lord with all their heart. God once again was showing them mercy even in their wrong doings! The same goes for us in our sin....look how God shows us mercy:

1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Just like Israel, when we turn on God and sin, if we will humble ourselves, admit we did wrong(confess), God will for give us and cleanse us! What an awesome God we serve! We don't deserve the forgiveness but He loves us and forgives! Let me give a word of caution here. This is not a sin free card. Don't play with God's mercy and grace. God's Word is clear we are to strive everyday to imitate the perfect ONE, Jesus Christ. This is the Holy life we are to give our best in doing everyday. If we sin willingly and think well I can because God will forgive me is I just confess it, you are playing a dangerous game that you will not win. God will judge all in the end and he knows our hearts!

So if you are a follower of Jesus, and you make a mistake and sin, don't fear! You have a merciful, loving Savior who will forgive if you just ask! Thank you Jesus!!!!!

Tom