November 4, 2014

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 New King James

God didn’t have to say anything else after the Cross, but he knew about you. He knew that you would need extra help. You’ve been called into something so great, that once you’ve stepped into the Light .. there is no where else to hide. It’s called confession but what it really means is just letting go. You let go of anything that forms a lie in you. You let go of carrying the past around. You let go having and wanting and hiding … sin. It is that easy, but we find any number of reasons in ourselves from letting go: shame .. embarrassment .. pride .. an-old-comfortable-habit .. anger .. and the sheer determination to just live the way “I” want to. There is no joy in it. Your heart is always on the verge of being bankrupt. You know that everything around you could crash at any moment. And the last thing you expect is to find a God who is “utterly dependable”. As an old wild-west pastor wrote: “He will never give up on you. Never forget that.” God could have required you to do something to prove you were serious about stopping, but He goes even further. When you own up .. He cleans you up. You’ve been called into fellowship with Jesus Christ. Do you want a clean heart? No amount of good intentions .. extra effort .. or self determination will help. Only God can clean up your life. He’s faithful .. will never give up on you .. never quit .. and never let go. Why? Because of Jesus. He claimed you before you confessed Him. You were a mess when He claimed you. But wade into your life He has. Whatever it is .. you can let go. No matter how small. No matter how far back. No matter what lies ahead. He won’t let go…

“God is utterly dependable, and it is he who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord.” 1 Cor. 1:9 JB Phillips

Ken Chester: The Grip is sent M-F to The Cleaned Up Fellowship following Jesus. (kchesterp1@gmail.com)