Before the
Reformation, Martin Luther was in a monk’s cell, weeping because of the guilt
he felt due to the sins he had committed. Just then he heard another monk
nearby who was reciting the Apostle’s Creed:
“I
believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. And in
Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born
of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell; the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven,
and is seated on the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living
and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic church, the
communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sins, the…”
Martin
Luther stopped him and said, “Wait! What did you just say?” The monk
said, “What do you mean what did I just say?”
Luther said, “That last part. What was that again?” The monk replied, “Oh that. I said, ‘I believe in the forgiveness of sins.’”
“The forgiveness of sins,” Luther said, as if savoring each word. “I believe in the forgiveness of sins. Then there is hope for me. Maybe there is a way to God.”
Martin Luther must have recited that creed many times before, but he had never really thought about what he truly believed. Do you believe in the forgiveness of all your sins? When you repent and receive Jesus Christ as Lord, God says, “I will remember their sins no more” (Heb. 8:12).
But what if you’ve committed the most vile and hideous sins imaginable? The blood of Jesus is MORE POWERFUL than any sin and cleanses you from every sin (1 John 1:7,9). Instead of beating yourself up with guilt, spend your time thanking God for forgiving you. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net