“Come to Christ”
What solace it is to the heart to know that we can approach the God of Israel, who loves us with an everlasting love, through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, who became the propitiation for our sins. For He, that is Jesus Christ, who knew no sin became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. The atoning sacrifice of Jesus bridged the gap for sinners such as you and me to come to Him in faith, knowing He will accept us and never turn us away. So, take heart beloved of God. There is no sin too big to tear you out of the Father’s hand Who has sealed you by the Holy Spirit. So, I say do not fall captive to the weakness of your flesh or yield to the persuading voices of your mind that tell you during failure there is no hope for you. The Mighty One is there with you, He has saved you from your past, and He has sealed your future. He rejoices over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, and He delights over you with singing. You are His beloved, and His banner over you is love. He will never look at you again with divine anger but will only see the scars of His Son, Whom He sent into this world to save you.
Therefore, saints of God, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men, for the Lord is nearby. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” So come, you who struggle with sin and have no strength to contend with it. So come, you who have grown lukewarm, who once had a burning passion for Christ that burned away the temptations which have now entangled you. So come, you who have lost the peace of your assurance because materialism has drawn you into a bottomless pool of discontentment. So come you backsliders, who once drank from the fountain of living water but have now sunk into a cistern full of corruption. Come all who are in the throes of struggle and gaze upon the thorny crown that pierced the Saviors head. Look and see the holes in the hands of Him, Who holds the world together by the breath of His word. Reach out and touch the gash on His side where the executioner thrust the spear. Listen with the ears of your heart and hear the heartbeat of your Lord cry, “I Love you, therefore you will not be consumed, for my compassion can never fail. Though the mountains may be removed, and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Says the LORD who has compassion on you.”
Christian, confess all your struggles to Jesus, tell Him your most coveted sins. Do not listen to the lies of your deceitful heart any longer, for if the Lord has saved you, not even your failures or your backsliding can keep you from Him. Tell Him what is stealing your joy. Cry to Him, for the verse says, “in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to Him.” He will not deny your request, but He will come to you and rekindle the passion that once burned in your bosom for Him. He will give you the strength to unsheathe your sword and get back in the battle. He will remind you that the victory is already yours that sin and death have been defeated. He will tell you to take off the paupers clothing you put back on, for you are royalty by adoption and all that He has is already yours. He will not forsake you, but He has seen every tear that has fallen to the ground. Listen to His voice as He speaks over you, “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” Oh, Christian, the hope of your calling was never in yourself but was always found in Him, Who is true, who saved you through His death on the cross.