A WORD IN PASSING - April 2024

                 "God has raised this Jesus from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because

                       it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him."                                                Acts 2:24

              Jesus died for us. And God raised Him from the dead for us. And now because of the forgiveness Jesus has   

  won we can know the forgiveness and reconciliation God holds out to each one of us. But God won't force his

  forgiveness on anyone, and there are those - sadly, all too many - who see forgiveness, especially God's forgiveness,

  as something they neither need or want. So it's important we realise that God's forgiveness isn't blocked by his

  reluctance, only by our own.

             But in Jesus Christ, God has done everything that was necessary for me to be forgiven and reconciled to Him.

  Everything necessary to ensure it 'impossible for death to keep its hold on me.' For when I accept Jesus as my  

  Saviour and Lord, all that is true of His victory over sin and death is now true for me. I am 'in Christ', I am 'with 

  Christ', having been baptised into his death and resurrection, (Romans 6: 3-4).

            All that remains is for me to do is to acknowledge who He is; to acknowledge what He has done for me

  and to repent and turn away from all that has messed up my relationship with God and with others, namely my 'sin'.

  All that remains for me to do is to ask Jesus into my life as my Saviour as I commit myself to Him, with the 

  assurance that his glorious resurrection now foreshadows my own.

                                                                                                                                                                                     Graham Pulham

                    Lord Jesus,

                                                    I thank you that you have done everything necessary for my forgiveness.

                     I thank you that there is now nothing left for me to do except accept that which you graciously offer me.

                  So, I turn from all that is unacceptable in your sight. And with a grateful heart I accept the forgiveness                                                                                                                                                                        and reconciliation you offer me.

                     Come Lord I pray. My heart is now open to you. 

                     Come Lord, I pray, that I may know life in all its fulness.

                     Come, risen Lord and begin your new creating work in me.

                                                     Thank you gracious God.

                                                     Praise be your name.       

                                                                   Amen.

                         For more information about the Christian faith, go to www.christianity.org.uk