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Freedom from Sin

"So there is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).

It was Communion Sunday, a time to reflect on Christ’s suffering and death and to think about the payment for our guilt and sin. As I sat in church, I noticed a couple in the pew in front of me. In the past year, he had been unfaithful to his wife. He had to live with the consequences, but he knew that God's love and forgiveness were there for him to receive because of Christ's substitutionary death on the cross. He repented of his sin and God forgave Him.

Next to me sat a man recently separated from his wife and children. His life was a mess. Someone had reported him for exposing himself to a girl at a drive-through restaurant. He had severe problems, but he was here in church because he knew Christ had forgiven all his sins - past, present and future. He repented, God forgave him and now he sang the hymns with conviction.

The church is full of sinners. Some sins are well-known, others are hidden, but God knows the hearts of each one of us. He longs to show compassion toward us all. Communion reminds us that without Christ’s death and resurrection there would be no personal relationship with God. There would be no forgiveness of sins, no sense of freedom. Because of Christ we can be forgiven. We just have to admit our sin and turn from it. He is waiting with open arms.

Thank you Lord, for the ordinance of communion - a time to reflect on your sacrificial love for us. Amen.

~ Katherine has been a staff member with  Power to Change Canada for 30 years. She has launched and developed many successful ministries, including  Canadian Prayer Alert, Women In Leadership, Women Today, Women Today Magazine and Women Today Online. Katherine has written and published a book, When Dreams Come True:  Women Today Online. She serves as the director for www.secretsofsuccess.com.