this pretty much sums it up

I had planned to write a detailed post about the things God has been showing me lately.  I even started it last night and I may even finish it when I find the time, but for now it can be summed up with the Hymn of Commitment that closed our evening service tonight.

Jesus Paid It All*

I hear the Savior say,

"Thy strength indeed is small,

Child of weakness, watch and pray,

Find in Me thine all in all."

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find

Thy power, and Thine alone

Can change the leper's spots

And melt the heart of stone.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

For nothing good have I

Whereby Thy grace to claim;

I'll wash my garments white

In the blood of Calv'ry's Lamb.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

And when, before the throne,

I stand in Him complete,

"Jesus died my sould to save,"

My lips shall still repeat.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our music minister doesn't generally know what our pastor will be preaching before he chooses the music for each service, which only serves as confirmation that God's hand was moving in the lives of both men as they planned for this service tonight.  Bro. Don's text was from 1 John 1:8-10 and the core of his message was focused on the deception that can overtake both Christians and non-Christians alike and convince us that we are okay ... not in need of repentance.  As he spoke, he reminded us that we all sin and that while we must confess that sin, God has given us an amazing promise for this specific need in our lives.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
 and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

It is what he said next that caught my attention and has been replaying in my mind ever since.  Yes, it is true that God has promised to forgive us and there is no limit placed on that forgiveness, but we shouldn't view it as free or take it lightly. 

We should never forget what Jesus had to pay to give us the promise of 1John 1:9.

Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.

*Song copied from: Baptist Hymnal ~ Jesus Paid It All  Words by: Elvina M. Hall