Iniquities prevail against me, as for our transgressions You will provide atonement for them (Psalm 65: 3)
Sometimes, it's easier to overlook our sins and also to think that God keeps no record of our sins, especially when it's not blatant as the murder of Jamal in Saudi Consulate in Turkey. And the people who fall into this error are Christians and we the pastors. But let me be honest and truthful with you, the Most High God we serve keeps record of every act of sin we commit, the Christian and the pastors are not exempted either. The shocking aspect of this is that, Satan with his demons, also keep records of every act of sin we commit, whether you are a Christian or not. Keep that truth with you, but let it motivates you to live right by the grace of God.
The paraphrase of our scripture today would read "Matters of sins as recorded by You overwhelms me or prevails over me, but our acts of rebellion You do provide atonement for them". That is clear.
Two eternal truths I want to point out here.
First, God keeps records of our every acts of sins and transgressions. The Jews knew this truth very well. God marks the sins you and I commit. And you can be sure every sin you have committed this year stays in God's record books in Heaven and a similar records is with the enemy of your soul, the Devil.
Second, God in His mercy provides us with atonement that covers these recorded sins. For Israel, they had this done for them on a special day set aside for them. It's called the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). On that day, all Jews gather at Jerusalem, and afflict their souls by fasting and prayer where they confess their sins as recorded by God and plead for His pardon. And a sacrifice for atoning for those sins is made for that year and they receive pardon or forgiveness from God and the recorded sins annulled by God.
Honestly speaking, it was great to be a Jew or Israelite on that basis. But we thank God for grace, that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, we have atonement too. While we don't go Israel's way of atonement, the scriptural principle remains the same.
The sins you and I committed this year are in God's record books (please, those sins that have not been forgiven us because we refuse to repent and turn away from them or even recognize they are sins before God). Like Israel. We can have our day of Atonement by setting a day aside and go before God in repentance, and seek forgiveness through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It would be detrimental to end the year with those sins and also enter the new year with those iniquities, trespasses and acts of rebellion against God because they will prevail against you and overtake you and overwhelm you with their fruits, consequences and punishments. And this must not be, because Christ our sin offering has been sacrificed and His atoning blood stands ready to Heaven to speak for us and to plead a clean sheet year that abound with grace, mercy, favour and blessing.
So as we approach the end of the year, don't just plan for the new year, for the Christmas and the material things, but also for spiritual renewal.
And may the blessing of Christ atonement flow into your life for the new year in Jesus name. Amen
Remember to have your Yom Kippur before you enter 2019
Shalom, life and grace to you
Moving people onto God's purposes
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