It's true we often get to reap the things we have sown and have to deal with them even for the rest of our lives. I have often said to myself, "If only I had not done that or said that."

The words that we speak that hurt, how we want to take them back.

"And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:11

It is by faith we receive justification just as we received our salvation by faith with the grace of God. Jesus truly gives us justification because we are washed in His blood.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

When it comes to what Jesus has done for us, truly it is as if we have not done the old things. Justified means as if we had not sinned. Not guilty, freed from sin. We were justified when we accepted Jesus as our Savoir and we were forgiven. Just as if we had not sinned, that is what our Jesus did for us.

Lets look at our original scripture in Romans 5:1-2. It's by faith we receive not being guilty anymore. In other words you believe the Word of God. He said it, that is the way it is. Do not be talked back into carrying guilt anymore. We have peace with God because of what Jesus did. Jesus said in John 14:27, "My peace I give to you."

God is not mad at you. He loves you He has always loved you and will always love you.

We have access of grace by faith and we get to stand in it and be safe in it. Grace is God's favor on us. "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My Hands." - Isaiah 49:16

I have heard it said that if God had a wallet He would carry your picture in it. Well on the palms of His hands is even better. We also, according to this scripture, receive joy and hope. Joy is not always a feeling. Joy is the knowledge of receiving and walking in all that this scripture offers us. Let us have an attitude of joy as Isaiah 12:3, "With joy will you draw water from the wells of salvation."

Hope, only God alone can give us a future and a hope. Hope is what people long to have and can't seem to find it.

Just as we started with the thought of so many things that we wish we could take back, again only God can cleanse and give the hope of changing the situations.

Family of God receive what the Word is saying to you. You have been justified by faith. Come before Father God and thank Him for what He has done for you through Jesus Christ. Thank Him for His grace and peace and joy and hope. Say out loud I receive all that You have given to me through Jesus.

Father I pray for your Word to be made real at this moment. That your grace and mercy will rest upon my friends and that your Word will bring hope to these your precious ones. In Jesus name. Amen.

To the Glory of God,

sheila@sheilaweddle.com