Fasting | Day 14
Excerpted from Jentezen Franklin's 21-Day Fasting Bible Study
The last issue we will deal with that affects our ability to return fully to God, is the issue of sin in our lives. Romans 3:23 tells us we have all fallen short. We all miss the mark, which is the technical definition of the word "sin." But sin, unconfessed sin, is probably the greatest barrier that believers face when trying to draw near to God. They want closeness with the Father, but they have a wrong understanding of their sin and forgiveness. Others come from the opposite direction. They believe they can sin at will, and it will have no effect on their relationship with God ... which is actually far more dangerous.
You need to ask yourself what is God saying to you? Sometimes the only way God can get people to turn to the light is to allow them to walk through darkness.
Psalms 77:13 tells us God has two plans regarding you and me: He said the way of the Lord is in the sanctuary and the storm. In other words, God will use the sanctuary; the choir sings, the preacher preaches, loving saints stand by ready to place their arms around you and pray you through to salvation. And God will use the storm; roadblocks, circumstances, situations that arise in front of you that God sends as warnings to get your attention.
God gives you every chance to repent and turn to Him. No one said a life of holiness was the easy path. Even Paul, the man who wrote over half of the New Testament lamented about the incredible weight of sin and the struggle to make the right choices:
"For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing" (ROMANS 7:18-19).
But you need to know that there is good news. Christ paid for your sins. There is a simple plan for your sin and it DOESN'T involve shame, guilt or condemnation. It is as simple as confession, repentance and forgiveness. There is nothing you can do to pay for your sin. Jesus Christ made the payment on the cross.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I JOHN 1:9).
Think About It
As we conclude the second full week of the fast, take a moment before the Lord in confession and repentance. Journal your process and anything else you feel comfortable writing down. Sometimes writing it down and looking at it on paper can make clear those things that need to be made clear. It can also serve as a line in the sand where everything changes from this point forward.
Share
