ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

"What we do see is Jesus, who "for a little while was made lower than the angels" and now is "crowned with glory and honour", because He suffered death for us. Yes, by God's grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world." HEBREWS 2:9

One of the things I love about Easter is singing the wonderful worship songs that remind us that "Jesus Paid it All", that the `Deliverer' took all our sins on the cross for us, and we have been `Set Free". This great assurance of forgiveness is often so overwhelming, that it is on these days that many people take their first step in accepting the Lord as their Saviour. For those of us who have walked with the Lord for many years, our faith may be renewed.

Why is it so important to have this assurance?

"He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross, so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by His wounds. Once you were wandering like lost sheep, but now you have turned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT)

I can only speak for myself, but the freedom and peace that comes from knowing I am forgiven, makes it easier to know that through the power of the Holy Spirit I can live the right way. When my friends say to me - `hey do this, or do that' and I know it is wrong, I can now say -`No', I am free from the bondage of that sin. I am no longer wandering alone and afraid, for my Shepherd is close by, ready to lift me into his arms, if I start to fall. (Psalm 37:23&2)

"He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped and we were healed. All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's path to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the guilt and sins of us all." Isaiah 53:5&6 (NLT)

Peace, oh what wonderful peace we can have because of Jesus' obedience, because of the pain he suffered for us. Oh how easy it is to follow our own way and do our own thing, but now we have a new way to follow - a way without guilt or shame, because Jesus took our sins upon the cross, and we now have assurance of forgiveness.

"For all have sinned and fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet now God in His gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ who has freed us by taking away our sins." Romans 3:23&34 (NLT)

The part I love about this verse is that Christ has `FREED US'. We are no longer bound by the need or desire to sin. This is not saying we aren't tempted - but because of God's great kindness and Jesus' death, we have a way out. We know that by `God's grace we are saved'. Through the Holy Spirit, we can now say `no, Satan be gone', and we can have the assurance that `he will run'.

Growing up as a child, and even now I have to confess, my favourite song was one by Jenni Flack. I would sing it at all my Holiday Programs, it was often the theme of Kid's Club or Sunday School lessons; because it summed up why there was so much join and peace in my life; and why I wanted others to have this same freedom. It's called `No Fishing'.

When Jesus forgives he forgets what I've done,

And the bad things I did have now gone.

When Jesus forgives he forget what I've done,

And the bad things I did have now gone.

For He's thrown them in the deepest part

Of God's forgetful sea,

Where there's a great big sign that says

NO FISHING.

For He's thrown them in the deepest part

Of God's forgetful sea,

Where there's a great big sign that says

NO FISHING

No fishing, no fishing, no fishing.

No fishing, no fishing, no fishing

When you're sorry for your sins that's where they go.

No fishing, no fishing, no fishing, no fishing,

They're buried deep in God's forgetful sin.

Remember, the CROSS TELLS US that we have ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS!!

(Jenni Flack: "Jibes & Vibes" - now available at Christian bookstores and www.jennieflack.com.au)

"Jesus Paid it All" (2006) Alex Nifong, Worship Together.

"Deliver" (2010) Vicky Breeching & Sarah McIntosh, Kingsway.

"Set Free (2011) Jason Ingram, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman & Ben Fielding, Kingsway.