I don’t mean “God doesn’t matter,” because of course He does!
What I do mean is, He doesn’t count sins.
Do you believe that?
Or do you think: “I have stuffed my face again. I know this time God has had it with me. It is only a matter of time before he says ‘That’s it. No more. I am through with you!’ “
If you are convinced that you can out-sin God’s love and kindness (which leads us to repentance), then ask Him to help you believe Psalm 32:2 a which says:
You see? God doesn’t count.
He can out-love, out-forgive, out-kindness anything you can possibly throw at him.
He doesn’t stand up in heaven with a tablet, making a list and checking it twice to see if you have been naughty or nice and, suddenly, do a second take…
….Oh no!! Horrors of horrors!
“No! That sin, right there…that one sin…is one too many! No more forgiveness. No more pardon! No more kindness. No more long suffering! I count one too many sins for ________ .” (Insert your own name there…)
That just won’t happen, thankfully.
Further on in Psalm 32, we read:
King David knew what it was like to struggle with starting a day with good intentions–to begin again, and again, and again–only to cave in to temptation. Instead of hiding from God, though, he typically acknowledged his sin, confessing his wrong to the Lord.
And, God forgave.
David moved on.
Jesus paid an exorbitant price so that forgiveness could be constantly, freely extended to you and to me–no matter how many sins. If we believe that God “has had it” with us, then we suck the life right out of the cross of Christ, saying the death Jesus died has its limits. That it isn’t sufficient.
Do we really want to say that?
Let’s believe! God doesn’t count. When we begin again, we really do begin again–fresh start, clean slate.
First John says God is love and 1 Corinthians 13 says that love keeps no record of wrongs done. So, I have to figure, then, God doesn’t keep a record of wrongs.
No, God doesn’t count.
Do you feel like you have “let God down?” Are you worried that God will “give up” on you? Can you choose to believe him–that he says he doesn’t count your sins against you? What can you do right now to walk in that truth?
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Don’t forget we are having a drawing for a Thin Within book by Arthur and Judy Halliday. Each Monday morning until June 14th, I will announce one winner. Your name is entered when you post a relevant comment here at the blog. I draw one name randomly from those that commented the previous week. It’s that simple and you can enter multiple times!
Wonderful post Heidi! This is one of my favorite Scriptures! It is also one I struggle to believe sometimes. Isn't it funny how we believe that all the promises like this apply to the sinner just coming to Christ, but for those already in Christ, we think we need to do what amounts to penance to restore fellowship with Christ after we've sinned?Have a blessed weekend!Kim
Wonderful post Heidi! This is one of my favorite Scriptures! It is also one I struggle to believe sometimes. Isn't it funny how we believe that all the promises like this apply to the sinner just coming to Christ, but for those already in Christ, we think we need to do what amounts to penance to restore fellowship with Christ after we've sinned?Have a blessed weekend!Kim
I was just discussing with my husband what the Lord has been bringing me through and how it will affect my views of Thin within study this coming month. I just got out of the hospital after a nine day stay with acute asthma, and a long road of recovery on prednisone that will mask everything "physically" that I will be doing, and it will be a very big challenge. I've seen the Lord show me that this study will be all about my heart change and my spiritual growth, not the "outside focus" that get's me so much trouble and causes me to miss the point so often with food! And I said to Dave, "I hope God doesn't give up on me!" He replied, oh yeah He will, that's what He does with people like you, just gives up on ya, you're hopeless!" Of course we laughed and reminded each other of all His promises and renewed compassion we receive daily. There is nothing like the Grace of our God.. Nothing. Thanks Heidi. :o)
I was just discussing with my husband what the Lord has been bringing me through and how it will affect my views of Thin within study this coming month. I just got out of the hospital after a nine day stay with acute asthma, and a long road of recovery on prednisone that will mask everything "physically" that I will be doing, and it will be a very big challenge. I've seen the Lord show me that this study will be all about my heart change and my spiritual growth, not the "outside focus" that get's me so much trouble and causes me to miss the point so often with food! And I said to Dave, "I hope God doesn't give up on me!" He replied, oh yeah He will, that's what He does with people like you, just gives up on ya, you're hopeless!" Of course we laughed and reminded each other of all His promises and renewed compassion we receive daily. There is nothing like the Grace of our God.. Nothing. Thanks Heidi. :o)
Hi, Kim. Yes! Exactly. I am so thankful that, in Christ, all the promises of God's Word are YES.Hi, LakeLady. I remember when God allowed me to have a stomach ulcer. It was due to bacteria and I had to take a horrific course of antibiotics. Between the antibiotics which wreaked havoc with the taste in my mouth and the intense pain I felt at a 0 and at a 5, I had to really learn something *totally* different during that season. It was looking to *him* alone…I had turned 0 and 5 into a "rule" and into my way of "proving" I was "good." I couldn't do that any more. I sucked on mints around the clock (literally) so that the taste in my mouth was manageable and had to eat before I was at a 0 and stop before a 5. It was a strange time of just looking for his face. I pray that God will make this time for you as sweet as that time was for me. In fact, thank you for triggering that wonderful memory. 🙂
Hi, Kim. Yes! Exactly. I am so thankful that, in Christ, all the promises of God's Word are YES.Hi, LakeLady. I remember when God allowed me to have a stomach ulcer. It was due to bacteria and I had to take a horrific course of antibiotics. Between the antibiotics which wreaked havoc with the taste in my mouth and the intense pain I felt at a 0 and at a 5, I had to really learn something *totally* different during that season. It was looking to *him* alone…I had turned 0 and 5 into a "rule" and into my way of "proving" I was "good." I couldn't do that any more. I sucked on mints around the clock (literally) so that the taste in my mouth was manageable and had to eat before I was at a 0 and stop before a 5. It was a strange time of just looking for his face. I pray that God will make this time for you as sweet as that time was for me. In fact, thank you for triggering that wonderful memory. 🙂