Adventure Day 41 - 4/3/09

The starting point of personal revival is repentance, a word that speaks of sorrow for sin and the intention to not continue on the wrong path. Feeling remorseful about sin, yet having little intention of turning from it, is inadequate and shortchanges us from experiencing true forgiveness and the consequent renewal/revival of our relationship with God.

The cross is the ultimate answer to our sin problem. As we by God's grace become convicted of sin, we ought to consider Calvary, the scene of our Lord's crucifixion. There forgiveness on the basis of His shed blood is proclaimed. Jesus died...he endured the cross, that we might be pardoned. His wounds plead on our behalf; they are the only sin antidote that has lasting effect. As we contemplate the great cost of that pardon, we discover motivation to walk away from our sin.

Charles Wesley, the great hymn writer, wrote a lyric as a meditation on this truth - "Arise My Soul, Arise." Read each stanza, and then pause to confess and receive God's forgiveness on the basis of the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me:
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Forgive him, O forgive,” they cry,
“Nor let that ransomed sinner die!”

The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And “Father, Abba, Father,” cry.

Draw near with confidence, my friend. Your heavenly Father awaits you with the gift of a costly forgiveness.

God's Peace!
Pastor Paul

Tailpiece: Today's Adventure Bible passage is Mark 14:27-50.