Do-overs

TITLE: Do Overs
DATE:  January 8, 2020

Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed.

TEXT: 1 John 1:7-9  - ESV - 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Any pastor who has been involved with counseling is used to hearing two words: "If only....."

Then the counselee fills in the blank. "If only I had known how hard life was, I would have gone to college, I would have studied harder in high school."

• From married couples having difficulties, "If only I had known that he would turn into a drinker,....If only I had realized she was a nag,....."
• Business men and women say, "If only I had known what was happening to the company, I would have...."
• Parents say, "If only I had known what was going to happen, I would have used more discipline, or less discipline."
• So many times, before an open grave, I have heard people say, "If only I hadn't argued, or put our differences aside, or said, 'I love you move."

It's sad, because all of us have those "if only" times. As we look back, we see missed opportunities, failed challenges. If only.
As Peter neared the end of his life, as he reflected back on his years with Jesus, I imagine he found a great many of those "if only" times.

• If only he had kept walking on the water.
• If only he hadn't talked so brave at the Last Supper;
• if only He hadn't gone to the priest's courtyard; if only he hadn't denied Jesus three times.
• If only he hadn’t refused to have his feet washed.

If only. I do hope that Peter remembered those good times. Those times when he did the right thing. I hope he thought of those times and was comforted. I hope you are, too.

You see, all of us have times when we would like to have a “do over.”  That’s normal. We would love to straighten out our mistakes and sins. Sadly replaying our mistakes is not a possibility. And that’s where Satan gets  involved.

There is nothing he enjoys more than accusing a Christian of a sin.

He gets our consciences revved up.... and he gets our finger pointing to all our flaws, faults and failures. Which is a great shame. He makes us feel guilty when there should be no guilt. After all, what does that passage quoted above say...
1 John 1:7-9 - 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Remember Jesus’ blood takes away ALL SIN and ALL GUILT.

THE PRAYER: Lord, do not let the devil succeed in accusing me when Jesus has already forgiven me.  In Your holy Name I pray it. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html