Celebrate Forgiveness

As I was mowing the yard today, listening to Casting Crown's newest album, I was reminded just how wrong I am when it comes to asking for forgiveness.  In the song, When The God-man Passes By, the story of the woman who was about to be stoned caught my attention.  The lyrics are this:

I was a runaway, a gypsy chasing shadows in the night

A prisoner of secrets till religion dragged my shame into the light

All my darkness was revealed, just when I thoughg my fate was sealed

My accusers dropped their stones and walked away

'Cause when the God-man cleansed my name

I knew I'd never be the same

Those last two lines........she knew that once she was forgiven her life would never be the same.  It made me wonder how often I just go through the motions.....asking for forgiveness for my sins and never really claiming my new life.  When I ask for forgiveness I should be excited to start over!  I should celebrate my forgiveness and the fact that my life will be forever changed because of that special moment with Jesus.  So often I just ask for forgiveness and move on.  I take for granted the grace I am given and I don't really accept the fact that my forgiveness has the power to change my life.  Asked just once, I am forgiven and made new.  God sees me dressed in white!!    

It's time we all get excited about being forgiven!  It's time that we repent and celebrate!  Grab hold of grace and let it renew us!  Jesus made it possible for us to change our old habits, our old life, our old choices and never be the same again!  Because of that one moment, our lives will be different forever!  Accept the forgiveness once and for all and put the shame behind!  Let the God-man cleanse your name and stand up tall knowing you will never be the same!