James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
It is a very daunting thing to get right with God after drifting for a long time. When I say drifting I mean not growing in your faith, because if you aren't moving forward in your walk with God, you are going backwards. If you have drifted away from God the Holy Spirit as our helper will bring us back and set things right. Drifting doesn't mean we have lost our salvation, but means we have drifted away from God's will for our life. We have gotten "out of the flow." The Holy Spirit shows us what it takes "to come on back" and we need to follow His direction. When He says "Come On Back" It is much like when i rely on someone to help me back a trailer that is really long and I can't see the end, so I need someone who is back there to give me direction so I can get as close as possible without hitting something. The Holy Spirit will guide your steps and get you back on track. He has done that for me numerous times and even though it may hurt my pride at times, He knows what is best.
As the scripture above states there will be tears and there will be eating some humble pie as we admit our wrong to the Lord and repent. To which God says "what wrong" according to God's grace and His complete forgiveness. PRAISE GOD FOR HIS GRACE!! So when God says Come On Back and calls repentant sinners to get right He is totally for us. The following story in some way illustrates God's great love for us sinners.
When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his quilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, "That'll be ten dollars -- a dollar for every mile you went over the limit." Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. "You have violated the law," he said. "The fine must be paid--but I am going to pay it for you." He took a ten dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats repentant sinners!"
So what do the words "Jesus Paid It All" mean to you now? Those words mean everything for me and every time I sing that hymn it is a wonderful reminder of God's great love. Hopefully that will keep all of us on the right track as we walk with God.
The Pilgrimage continues......
David Warren