JEFF KIMES - EXECUTIVE PASTOR
Often the weight of sin in our lives, that we choose to hold on to, will prevent us from accomplishing the task that we have been called to. It causes us to hide in the background, dismiss our responsibilities and even lead us into a state of feeling alone.
We see this play out in the encounter that Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at the well, (John 4:7-31). This woman was living a life of shame and sin. We know that because she had come to the well to gather water at a time when she thought no one would be there. She did not come to gather water when the other women of the town gathered water because she was ashamed of the sin in her life. Jesus pointed out her sin, without condemning her, so it could be dealt with.
Once she dealt with the sin and then received the forgiveness that comes from Jesus, the shame she felt was gone. In verse 28 we read, “So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, ‘Come see a man who told me all the things that I have done.’ The shame of sin was gone and she was left with the joy of forgiveness.
In John 3:17 Jesus says, “For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. ” The author of Hebrews states it very well in chapter 12:1 “… let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” As followers of Christ we are called to take the gospel to a lost world; we need not let the sin of this world hold us back from our task.
If you have not received that forgiveness that Jesus is talking about in this passage I would encourage you to call upon Jesus to forgive you of your sin and remove the shame of that sin from you and to come into your life as Lord.
May the Lord be a blessing to you today!
Jeff Kimes