“I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
She sadly shook her head, “Yes, I would love to help with that ministry! But with my past… I just can’t.” She had a colorful past, yet she had repented and today pursued Jesus with unparalleled passion.
Her past was in the past. She no longer practiced those former activities. God had forgiven her. God had redeemed her. God had redeemed her past.
Had she forgiven herself?
Could she see her redemption?
Jesus told three parables in Luke 15 about the lost being found. What happened when something lost was found?
Great rejoicing!
Not great lamenting over how long something was lost, or how it got lost, or even all the time “wasted” waiting for the lost item to turn up.
Instead, great celebration ensued; pure and simple celebration!
Maybe your past is a story you’d much rather die than retell. As much as you and I might wish to rewrite history, we simply can’t.
But Jesus reassures us that our stories aren’t completed yet. He assures us, “There is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Joy!
In the presence of God’s angels.
Just because one repents.
Joy!
Not condemnation.
Not lamentation.
Joy!
Since He forgives and adores us, He lovingly looks upon us with great joy. We should share that joy.
“I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10
She sadly shook her head, “Yes, I would love to help with that ministry! But with my past… I just can’t.” She had a colorful past, yet she had repented and today pursued Jesus with unparalleled passion.
Her past was in the past. She no longer practiced those former activities. God had forgiven her. God had redeemed her. God had redeemed her past.
Had she forgiven herself?
Could she see her redemption?
Jesus told three parables in Luke 15 about the lost being found. What happened when something lost was found?
Great rejoicing!
Not great lamenting over how long something was lost, or how it got lost, or even all the time “wasted” waiting for the lost item to turn up.
Instead, great celebration ensued; pure and simple celebration!
Maybe your past is a story you’d much rather die than retell. As much as you and I might wish to rewrite history, we simply can’t.
But Jesus reassures us that our stories aren’t completed yet. He assures us, “There is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Joy!
In the presence of God’s angels.
Just because one repents.
Joy!
Not condemnation.
Not lamentation.
Joy!
Since He forgives and adores us, He lovingly looks upon us with great joy. We should share that joy.
He wants us to joyfully acknowledge His forgiveness and rejoice that He does make all things new, indeed!
He wants us to joyfully acknowledge His forgiveness and rejoice that He does make all things new, indeed!