Brothers and sisters,
Happy Monday to all! We had fun yesterday as we celebrated with a pot luck and baby shower the baby that God is giving to Edie and Grayson. Isn’t it wonderful to be part of a church family? We missed all those who could not be with us because of the weather. We know you missed being with us.
As we worshipped, we learned a little bit more about God’s gracious presence with His people. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, our sins can be forgiven if we trust in Him and we can by Jesus have a friendship with Almighty God. We learned that we live in a day of mercy where God is continually offering His grace to sinners who need it. God mercifully puts off punishing sin to give sinners time to turn from their sin and trust in Jesus. But we learned also that we must never mistake God’s patient mercy to sinners as an endorsement of sin or an unwillingness by God to judge sinful people. In fact, God has already judged sin in Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross for us, God was declaring us guilty as sinners and placing our judgment upon Jesus. That is why we must trust in Him because in Jesus our sins are already judged. Believe in Him today and sin will be forgiven. But if people will not believe, they need to understand that justice delayed is not justice denied. God will ultimately do away with evil. God will ultimately right every wrong. God justice is perfect and God will without partiality do away with all evil and injustice. That includes evil in every person who has refused to accept the sacrifice of Jesus. Either your sins will be judged in Jesus and you will be forgiven, or you will have to pay for your sins by eternal separation from God’s goodness. Today, in the day of mercy and grace, don’t neglect to respond to God’s grace offered to us in Jesus.
As we continue to emphasize prayer for renewal and awakening for 40 days, keep up your praying! Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) reminds us of God’s promise: “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church