FORGIVING LOVESpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: God will surely grant a new nature to all those who sincerely cry unto Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ came down to this earth in the form of a man for us. He is an embodiment of love. “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8).
Love was manifested on the cross. “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). He will surely grant a new nature to all those who sincerely cry unto Him.
There lived a saint called Sadhu Sundar Singh. One day, while walking in the snow-clad Himalayan region, a robber caught hold off him and took him to a cave where he lived. At night, he pretended as if he was fast asleep. Sadhu Sundar Singh knelt down and spoke to the loving Lord through prayer. In the morning, the thief held the hands of Sadhu Sundar Singh and asked, "All through the night, with whom were you conversing?" Sadhu replied, "I was talking with God, the Almighty." He immediately asked, "Who is this Almighty God?" He expounded to Him about the birth of the Almighty God as a human being, His death on the cross and how his life had changed on account of that.
The robber said, "Come with me" and guided him to a particular place. Pointing to a very deep well filled with skeletons he said, "I murder people and throw them into this well. I do not know how many of them were killed by me so far." Then with a trembling voice he asked, "Will I receive forgiveness? Would your loving Lord forgive me? Could I also talk to the Lord just as how you speak to Him? Is it possible for me to lead a pure and holy life?"
Sadhu assured him that it is possible for the Lord to do so. The robber asked, "What should I do now?" Sadhu replied, "You speak to Him right now. Ask Him to deliver you and grant you a new heart. Plead with Him to take away the thought of wanting to murder people. Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary for your sake therefore ask Him to grant you a brand new heart."
The robber immediately knelt down and wept like a small child saying, "Oh Lord! Forgive me. If it is true that You died on the cross for me please change my life and grant me purity." His life changed completely. The next day, Sadhu continued his journey towards the plains. Sadhu consented even as the convicted thief expressed his desire to accompany him.
The people in that region identified him as the thief. Many threw stones at him. Others cried out, "This fellow had murdered my father, grandfather, son and so on." On the contrary, the convicted thief remained calm there was no sign of anger or irritation on his face. Sadhu intervened and saved his life. On the way, Sadhu asked, "You were not angry, were you?" The convicted thief replied, "Well! That is what surprises me too. Had I been the former robber, I would have pounced upon them like a panther and murdered them. I just cannot understand as to how my heart has completely changed."
Are you saying, “Is it possible for me to lead a pure and holy life?" Do not be disheartened, the Lord, who transformed the life of the robber, will transform you also. He will forgive you from all your sins because He took all the sins and iniquities upon Himself on the cross. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Dear friend, ask Him to forgive all your sins and grant you a new heart. When you cry unto Him, He will surely grant a supernatural transformation in you and will give a victory over your sinful life.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation. Forgive my sins and cleanse me through the precious blood of our loving Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and fill me with His divine peace and joy. May I be transformed into His likeness so that people may see His reflection in me.
In Jesus' glorious name, I pray.
Amen.
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