SIN-CERE

“Now He has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sins once for all by His sacrifice.” –Hebrews 9:26

Jesus’ “death has taken place for deliverance from transgressions” (Heb 9:15). “Christ was offered up once to take away the sins of many” (Heb 9:28). “You can depend on this as worthy of full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tm 1:15). The essence of Jesus’ mission is to save sinners.

Today, it has become unfashionable to talk about sin. We, who call ourselves believers, don’t want to put people on a guilt trip, sound judgmental, or be negative, so we don’t talk about sin. When we don’t talk about sin, we warp God’s plan of salvation and come to the false conclusion that we don’t need Jesus, His death, and the shedding of His blood that much. Let’s repent and call sin “sin,” not a fault or shortcoming. Let’s hate sin and love sinners. Let’s realize that a brief guilt trip which leads to repentance is much better than a trip to hell forever. Let’s speak of sin, repentance, Confession, and especially of Jesus’ loving forgiveness.

PRAYER: Father, “thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me” (Ps 51:4).
PROMISE: “Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wondrous deeds.” –Ps 98:1
PRAISE: St. Vincent endured much torture rather than deny his Lord. He persevered in his agony by “praying and singing hymns to God” (Acts 16:25).