Hosanna Restoration Church

Anyone who has truly come to know Christ will wholeheartedly agree that the greatest blessing that God ever gives us is our freedom from our sinful ways, and the pain they cause. We are so glad to know new life. We may still sin, but we have a remedy, and we have the confidence that through Christ they can be overcome. Yes, when we think of blessings this has to be at the top of the list of things to give thanks for.

It is nice to know that God sent His servant so that we could turn. Some people mix this up and think that we have to turn in order to come, but the fact is we can not really turn until we have entered into Christ. Any turning we do on our own may make us think we should get some credit.

As Christians, we need to first help people see their need for Christ. We are not called to convict or condemn or anything else. That is the Holy Spirit’s job description. I have seen people changed in a moment, and I have seen people who seem not to change. I have also seen people change one way and then back another. I must admit it confuses me. As long as I keep in mind that it is not my responsibility to change anyone, it helps me not to become discouraged. After all Jesus said to make disciples. You can only disciple those who turn and then follow.

Now in the verses preceding this one, we are told that every prophet spoke about what is happening today. I believe that word today still applies. He says that we are the children of these prophets, and that we are included in the covenant that God promised to our ancestors. We are among those through whom all the families on the earth are to be blessed.

As we agreed earlier, the greatest blessing is in the turning. Turning only comes when we have a desire to turn. That desire is inspired by the Holy Spirit. It leads people to seek an answer, and the only true answer is Christ. An encounter with Christ, affords people that wonderful cleansing from yesterdays sins and opens the door to freedom from everything in our past. Not only our sins, but the bruises and hurts of the past as well.

Jesus offers a healing package that cannot be beat. All of this is ours. But it does require that turning. We have to enter into God’s way of doing things. For instance, we cannot be healed if we will not forgive. We will not forgive if we are not willing to forget. We will not forget if we are not willing to forgive again each time something is brought to our mind. We will not receive forgiveness until we accept responsibility. We cannot blame others for our sins. We cannot make excuses and still be excused.

What a blessing it is that God sent His Servant to turn us back. We must stop looking back. Then the past cannot rob us of our future. Praise the Lord we can TURN BACK!