Have you ever been burdened down by sin? I think we have all been there if we are honest with ourselves. I believe as we grow in our faith, we become more and more aware of our sin. Realize the Lord desires to forgive you.
When we become more aware of how sin displeases God, we realize how much we need His forgiveness. Forgiveness can feel like a drink of water to parched lips. Jesus calls Himself living water. We think of the cleansing power of water and how water refreshes people. Jesus desires each person come to Him and repent of their sins so they could be forgiven. He desires to cleanse us with His living water of forgiveness.
The Gentiles Hear that God Wants to Forgive Them
Cornelius lived at a time shortly after the coming of the Holy Spirit. God had answered his prayer and he had a vision to invite the Apostle Peter to his home. Cornelius was a devout God-fearing man and had gathered friends and relatives to his house to meet Peter. While Peter was there, He told them about the good news of Jesus. This good news would be life changing for them.
Acts 10:38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, 41 not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses.
We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” [1]
The Gift of Forgiveness
Our heavenly Father is quick to forgive us no matter how great our sin. He longs for us to turn our hearts toward Him so that He can run out to meet us in our brokenness and weakness. It is at this point that He draws us back to him.
Too often we wait to turn our hearts toward the Father. The truth is that God is constantly aware of our sin, and yet He longs for intimacy with us in every moment. You are never too dirty to be wrapped up in the loving arms of your Father. It is impossible to be too broken to be clothed with His righteousness and honor. You never step outside of being His fully loved and forgiven child. If you will turn your heart toward Him when you sin, you will discover our Lord is there to forgive. What a wonderful gift forgiveness is.
To hear how the Lord desires to forgive you, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/seeking-the-lord-changes-my-life-cornelius
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 10:38–43). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.