“Dear Mrs. Smith:Will God refuse to listen to my prayers if I’m in a rotten mood, if have wronged someone without making amends, if I harbor resentment in my heart or have difficulty forgiving someone? What if I have a bad attitude or have offended God’s perfect laws and am not even yet aware of it? Will the Lord, who gave his life for me when I was his enemy, turn his face away from me because I have not come to a satisfactory level of repentance and true confession for every way, shape and form that I have not met his requirements of holiness?
I’m writing in response to this morning’s request for forgiveness. I’m sorry to inform you that you have reached your quota of sins. Our records show that, since employing our services, you have erred seven times in the area of greed, and your prayer life is substandard when compared to others of like age and circumstance.
“Further review reveals that your understanding of doctrine is in the lower 20 percentile and you have excessive tendencies to gossip. Because of your sins you are a high-risk candidate for heaven. You understand that grace has its limits. Jesus sends his regrets and kindest regards and hopes that you will find some other form of coverage.”
On the contrary, He is waiting for me to come to Him in the middle of my unholy ways. The blood of Jesus cleanses me from all unrighteousness, continuously. I’ll be needing it as long as I am in this earthly body. It’s the righteousness of Jesus I am clothed with, as I receive again his forgiveness and grace. It’s a heart filled with gratitude that receives it, over and over. I bow at his feet, I lay my head on his shoulder, I yield to his unconditional embrace, and I am renewed again. And as I spend time in his presence, his grace enfolds me, and by association and impartation, through faith and the Word He speaks to me, I become a little more like Him again.
