As my mother's eldest child, I felt the responsibility of being the firstborn very early in my life. To this day, when I recall my journey from childhood into adulthood, I realize that I have never run away from my responsibilities or the consequences of the things that I have done — real or imagined. I don't know if my conscience made me stay and face the music, or what it was exactly. Even as a child, I just knew that if you do the crime, then you do the time. Growing up, I got into innocent, childish mischief, and my grandmother, who raised me, never allowed me to get away with it. She would punish me for it while professing her love for me. I could never understand why I would be punished after owning up to my silly wrongdoings. I also believed then that you shouldn't punish someone for being truthful. But my granny didn't see it quite that way. I took my punishments.

Like my grandmother, God also takes sin very seriously. We can't do wrong and think that it was unseen by God. He already knows every single sin that we have committed during our lives here on earth. We fool ourselves if we think that no one knows — He sees, and He knows. Nothing is hidden from His eyes! Some of us sin every day but fail to examine our hearts and realize what we really have done. Others just overlook it as a natural way of living.

However, God is a God of mercy, love, and grace. If we own up to our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, then He will forgive us. But first, we must ask for forgiveness. Owning up to our mistakes and actions is the first step in obtaining forgiveness from our Savour, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who died on the cross for our sins. If we want forgiveness, then we must first turn to Him, lay all our cards on the table, and ask Him for forgiveness and the strength to live in His grace and mercy, sinning no more. We should go to Him privately and confess to Him.

God reminds us, "For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (Hebrews 8:12 NRSV) This is God's promise to you and me.

Why not turn to Him today? Get down on your knees, if you are able, or just get comfortable, and pray. If you want to enjoy being in heaven with Him, then that is the first thing that you need to do today.

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, Abba, You know what is in our hearts. Sometimes, we want to confess our sins, but we are afraid to approach You. Thank You, Father, for the many chances that You give us to approach You. May we come to You and find forgiveness and peace today. We give You the praise and the glory. Amen.

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About the author:

Yvonne Myers <yvonneemyers@gmail.com>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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