Colossians 2:13-15
Even when you were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ by forgiving us all our trespasses. God erased the record of our debt brought against us by his legal demands. This record stood against us, but he took it away by nailing it to the cross. After disarming the rulers and authorities, he made a public display of them by triumphing over them in Christ.
Apply God’s Word today! We all face challenges in our lives—issues at home, with neighbors, and at work—that weigh us down, and we struggle with guilt over past mistakes. We each have our ways of coping. Some hold everything in, telling themselves, “It’s okay, I can handle this!” until the pressure becomes too much and they blow up like a pressure cooker. Everyone suffers from their outburst and more guilt. Others respond immediately, trying to look out for themselves. Some smile all day, hiding their troubles, and even though they wear a smile for the world to see, inside, they are troubled and hurting.
The problem lies in the sin in the world, and on our own, we can’t undo its effects. The world offers many remedies, but none truly work. To make matters worse, our pride often blocks us; we frequently resist admitting we need help, believing that if we ignore the issues and what we have done, maybe they will all go away—but they won’t.
We are all alike; everyone faces troubles in life. You might feel there is no way out, but let me share God’s words with you today. We all start the same way—dead in our trespasses—but God makes us alive. He doesn’t want you to remain stuck in guilt and shame, because without forgiveness, you are condemned forever. Instead, God’s love for you is so great that He sent His Son to suffer on the cross for all your sins. When you recognize your sins and tell God, He says you are forgiven because His Son died for you. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was a public display so that everyone who turns to Him can receive forgiveness of all sins, along with the guilt and shame being removed. God loves you so much that He doesn’t want you to hold on to what He has already forgiven. He has completely erased your record of sin, and this gift is yours by faith in Jesus.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I lay all my sins before You today. Please give me the assurance that my sins are forgiven. As I hear Your Word, increase my faith so I can love those around me as You have loved me, and give me the courage to ask for forgiveness from those I have wronged and to forgive those who have wronged me. Please grant me complete peace through forgiveness, trusting in Jesus as my Savior, as He was made a public display and nailed my sins to the cross with Him so I might have salvation. Thank You. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
This life can bring us many burdens and worries, but remember that God loves you; He desires for you to be with Him forever in heaven. He made your salvation possible through faith in Jesus, knowing and trusting that all your sins are forgiven.