The Watchman's Diary

Has God passed over your sins? Better yet, have you turned to God in repentance of your sins? Before forgiveness, is repentance. Before the pass over was the shedding and smearing of blood. The seriousness of sin required a violent bloody response—that should be directed at the one guilty of the sin—but God in His awesome grace permitted a substitute. How do you feel that another bore the punishment that you justly deserve?

How do you feel when someone takes something that belongs to you and gets away with it? How would you feel if you were pulled over and ticketed because someone else was speeding? Would you voluntarily receive imprisonment and even the death penalty for someone you do not know? How would you respond to someone who did that for you, knowing you deserved the punishment?

We may not often think about the effect our actions have on others. When we get away with a wrong, we rejoice in our victory, not knowing if that victory has inflicted a cost on someone else. Our sins have consequences, even if we do not see or have knowledge of them. The excuse that I am simply going with the flow of traffic may get me out of a ticket but does not absolve me of breaking the speed limit. The sins we commit because of societal norms does not absolve us of guilt before a holy God!

Has God passed over your sins? Jesus (Yeshua) said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus is “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). God has made a permanent way for the forgiveness of our sins—a door that remains open but through which He will not force anyone. Jesus is the doorway to salvation. He stands there continually beckoning us to enter. He is also Himself standing at the doorway of our hearts asking us to let Him enter.

It may be that you do not feel you need a savior. You may not believe in heaven, hell, or God. You may feel you have enough resources or know the right people to keep you from harm. It may be that you’ve been hurt and feel God was not there to protect you from that harm. Whatever the reason, God still loves you. The door remains open right now, and He has not stopped knocking at the door of your heart. Let Him in!

It may be that you’ve already surrendered your heart to God, and this only serves as a reminder. Being surrendered does not mean we will not experience difficulties in life. Serving God almost guarantee we will suffer some form of persecution. However, Jesus said He will never leave us nor forsake us. He sent His Holy Spirit to be with us, live in us, teach us, and guide us. When troubles or persecution come, remember that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).