The unthinkable agony of the cross, the payment for the forgiveness of our sin, fell upon the innocent Lamb, who had fulfilled every last righteous requirement of the law. The only hope of all humanity rested on His shoulders, and He worked salvation for all who would repent of their sin and call upon His name, entrusting themselves to His power and His Word that He would wash their sin away.
Last night, one of the most precious souls in the world to me told me, with tears welling in her eyes and a trembling voice, about her feeling of guilt over an unkind word that she had spoken to a friend in the past. I asked her if she had confessed it to the Lord. She nodded. I asked if she had apologized to her friend. Again, she nodded. I proceeded to tell her that I also had many actions in my past that I was ashamed of, and that forgiving ourselves is usually the hardest part of dealing with our sin. I asked her to think about whose Word is final in all things. She acknowledged that God’s Word wins. I told her that Satan accuses us (Revelation 12:10), but that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough for everything that we could have ever done. Anyone who says otherwise, puts his word up against the Word of the Lord, to whom we had already established belongs final authority.
It is good for us to remind each other of the reality of God’s forgiveness. Even as we learn to live according to the Spirit, the flesh still struggles for control, and will as long as we live in this world. So, we remind each other of the Word of the Lord.
During our conversation I reminded her of a song that we often sing, called “Before the Throne” by C.L. Bancroft, which I highly recommend (the Shane & Shane is my personal favorite).
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great High Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself, I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God.