To Receive! – 08.05.2016
They should turn from darkness to light, from the power of satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.
Acts 26:18
There are many Christians who are not in certainty about their faith. Again and again they have doubts whether they really live in the light of God, whether their sins are forgiven, wether they are really loved children of God. They seem to have turned from the power of satan to God and His light, however obviously not radical enough. Forgiveness of God as portion of inheritance we have to receive through the Holy Spirit.
One time my friend had had no money in his purse and could not buy anything. According to his bank statement he had, however, quite a lot of money. Three times he demanded in the bank for EUR 500 in a loud voice without being prepared to line up in a queue.- in vain. I talked to him and together we waited as the other clients did and he finally received of course the required amount. He now understood that it takes time, that he had to wait to receive good things. This is only an unique story explaining that many people turn to God but leave Him too early before having received.
We often have rather great wishes: Forgiving of sins, assurance of salvation, eternal life and peace, really not small gifts. As a matter of fact it is worthwhile, to wait for these gifts for hours, for days. We will not depart from the throne of God before having received. God is not a hardhearted, stingy, punitive Father. He has mercy in abundance.
What enables us to receive His gifts is our faith which we cannot produce ourselves. The Spirit of God grows in us when we turn to God, when we have community with Him through prayer, meditation, bible reading, preaching, communion with other Christians. When faith is released, we can accept and receive.
Hebrew 4:6 – Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Thank You, Jesus, with You is mercy and grace in abundance. Please forgive, when I do not take the time to have communion with You. Forgive, when I think to receive without effort. I want to spend more time with You. The forgiveness of my sins has cost You a lot. This gift is precious.
Bible reading – Colossians 1:24 – 2:7