But My Sin Is To Great
Have you ever believed in something strongly only to find out later on you were wrong? Have you ever supported a leader, an authority figure only to find you were following the wrong person or that leader lead you astray?
Christ has returned to his Father and Peter is now beginning his ministry. His first sermon from a series of sermons in Acts was at the feast of Pentecost. During the feast of Pentecost the promise of the Holy Spirit descends on believers and Jew in the crowd are in awe and confused concerning what is happening with the spirit-filled Christians. This power filling the new Christians marks the beginning of the new covenant.
Witnessing this are the Jews who are guilty of Christ’s death. We are all guilty of Christ’s death but during this time Peter is reaching out to the Jews showing them proof of fulfilled prophesy. He calls them to repent and be baptized.
It is hard for us to image what was going through these Jews mind at this time; everything they have believed and supported is now being called a lie. First they witnessed the Christians filled with power during Pentecost (Acts 2). Now they see Peter heal a lame man (Acts 3). During Peter’s second sermon after the healing of this man, he is calling Jews to repent and be baptized.
Peter tells the Jewish people that they were responsible for Jesus’ capture and consequent death, and that they needed to repent. In Acts 3:17 he tells them they acted in ignorance and so did their leaders. Peter understands they did not realize fully that Christ was the Messiah, but that does not excuse them from their guilt.
I ask you again, have you ever followed a belief or a leader only to learn they were wrong? How do you react when someone tells you what you believe is wrong? Our human nature is to become defensive; to prove why we are right. Instead Peter tells them God understands, no matter what they have done; in fact God gives them three promises for those who will believe.
- 1. The forgiveness of all their sins. God will wipe away all sin; all misunderstanding.
2. A time for refreshment. This is a time where the Holy Spirit will dwell within a new believer and offer them comfort and renewal.
3. That Christ will come again for the believers.
What God would reach out to the very ones guilty of his death (all of us) and tell them if they will believe He forgives them and wipes all sin away? Not only does he forgive them but he enters into a new covenant with them.
Maybe you have believed your sin is to great, maybe a leader has mislead you, and you are now wondering if this applies to you. YES IT DOES.
The same God who sacrificed his own son for you is the same God who says just come. No matter what you have done, just come and I will forgive you, I refresh your weary soul and I will come again just for you.
AMEN..
Blessings and prayers,
andrea
I have followed a few well-meant beliefs that I later found out were based on man’s opinions and not God’s Word…becoming defensive was my reaction until the Lord opened my eyes to see and my ears to hear for better understanding of His plan for my life…
Very good post, Lori!
It is always difficult to admit when we are wrong…especially to ourselves! But when we do, we will find grace through the Father. Praise God!
Such encouraging truth Lori. I sometimes look at my sin and cannot imagine forgiveness and grace. But that is why He came – and I am so grateful.
Beautiful entry, thank you!
Such a lovely post.
Amen to that, Lori. No sin is too great that God will not forgive if we admit our sin. But the first step is to see the need for God’s grace, and that is the hardest step.
Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us.