THEOLOGY & APOLOGETICS
Beyond Redemption
By Lamar Hayes
Many people, especially those who struggle with continued sin, fear that they are beyond redemption — that God is no longer able to forgive their sins and bring spiritual restoration. And there are some serious passages that seem to indicate this may be so. But before anyone considers themselves condemned for eternity, they should consider the truth of Scripture.
Paul was a man who was a persecutor of Christians. He had actually taken God's people prisoner, and had them beaten and killed. He was out to destroy as many Christians as he could until God stopped him that day on Damascus road (His experience of Salvation: Acts 9:1-27; His Testimony to Agrippa: 26:5-28).
After Paul had experienced Salvation from a merciful and gracious God, he was changed and began his ministry for the Lord, but he always knew and remembered who he was before. Paul never forgot his past, but also drew strength from the fact that he was saved by a merciful God; despite his actions, despite his sins, God granted him favor. He never forgot the fact that he was the vilest of all sinners for whom there was no hope:
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 1 Timothy 1:15-16You might be saying to yourself, well I did this purposefully, knowing I should not have done these acts. Well think about this one: King David, a man after God's own heart, raised in a Godly family, having walked with God — not only did he purposefully commit adultery with Bathsheba, knowing that he himself had caused her to conceive a child by lying with her, plotted to have her husband Uriah lie with her so that he would think the child was his. When these efforts failed, he further plotted and had her husband murdered in the battlefield (2 Samuel 11:2-12:24 ).
There are signs that show you are not beyond receiving salvation from God. Have you expressed a deep disgust for your actions? Have you acknowledged that you have sinned and have shown remorse for your wrongdoings? Have you recognized the fact that there is a true and living God and that there is a Hell? Have you reached a point in your life whereby you no longer desire to live like this because of this feeling inside of you? Please also read the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24). He had brought his life to a point disgust and remorse. When he had reached a point of no return, he did return and guess what — the gracious Father received him back in! Read about the Woman of Samaria, who had gone through five husbands and was living with a man at the time she met Christ (John 4:6-39). Her life was changed forever!
It is time for you to understand and receive Jesus Christ, just as Paul did. We cannot do anything within ourselves. We must trust in Jesus Christ! He came to save us, He came to show us, He came to be that ultimate sacrifice for us. He has shown you your condition of life. God has brought you down to a point of no return; you have reached the end of your rope; but my friend there truly is HOPE! Jesus Christ can change your life forever. You can trust in Him and live for Him now, give your life to Him, accept Him and He will come inside and turn that cold stony heart into a heart of warm flesh again:
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Ezekiel 36:24-27He will take those sins of yours and cast them away forever! He is waiting now for you to take that next step and learn of Him and be a witness for Him. Start new, forget your past, read the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the book of Acts, read the New Testament of Christ. Learn of Him, let Him re-form you from the inside. He can, and only He, can change you, truly change you. There is indeed Hope for all. Turn to Him fully!
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30We, my family, myself and my church, will be praying for you. I pray that Christ will instill in you a sense for living, a desire to feel alive once again, to accept Him as your Savior and become whole once again. Through Christ and only through Him can any of our lives have meaning. He is Life!
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:16-17
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There is Hope! for you, for all of us!
Image Credit: Unsplash; untitled; Creative Commons
Tags: Biblical-Salvation | Biblical-Truth | God-Father | Sin-Evil | Witnessing-Evangelism
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Published 1-18-17
