Do you want to…
Jesus talked to Jewish tax collectors who worked for Rome. He talked to sinners, people who did not believe in God. Both of these groups were coming near to listen to Him. Luke 15:1
At that same time, religious leaders were grumbling about Jesus receiving “those” people. Why, He even ate with them! The idea!
Jesus told all those present some parables. The first parable was about a shepherd looking for and finding a lost sheep. The second parable quickly followed the first one.
“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins (ten days of wages) and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’ Luke 15:8-9
That coin was valuable to her. She put much effort into finding that coin.
Do you know that you also are valuable to the living God? He puts much effort into finding you! In fact, God the Father sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to be a sacrifice in your place for the things you do wrong (your sins).
John 3:16
People who are carrying around the heavy weight of guilt, many times, do not feel worthy to be forgiven of those sins.
Placing your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior – the weight of the guilt of sin is lifted and taken away when anyone repents and receives Jesus as their Savior.
You are valuable to God. He found you, follower of Christ, He saved you, He provides for your forgiveness through His Son’s death on the cross.
Repentance before God… Forgiven by God… Accepted by God
A lost sheep, a lost coin, a lost person… valued by God. He finds us!
And when we are found and receive Jesus… there is rejoicing in heaven! The angels of God rejoice when each sinner repents. Luke 15:7, 10
~ Take it to heart ~
Do you want to … please God? Repent!
Do you want to … be forgiven by God? Repent!
Do you want to … to be accepted by the living God? Repent!
Repent! Receive Jesus as your Savior. It is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that anyone is forgiven.