Are you guilty, friend?

Cell phone at the wheel. Not only dangerous, but also expensive.

I was parked in a long traffic jam, in the middle of the city, and just wanted to turn on an audio book on my cell phone. Then I saw them: the two policemen with a camera in their hands. And they saw me—with the cell phone in my hand.

Yes, what should I have said? I thought it was quite mean, but we all know: cell phones behind the wheel are simply forbidden.

That's why I immediately said: "I plead guilty,” and the policemen laughed. They were so sympathetic that they said, "We'd love to erase the ticket, but we can't. It goes straight into the system and stays there." 

What a horrible thought! You make one little mistake and they'll be able to prove it against you forever. And where I live, if I get eight demerit points, it's over. My driver's license will be revoked. 

Imagine if God worked with such a system. Help, friend! That would be a life in constant fear! Fear of the next mistake. Fear of punishment. 

How good is our God, when I compare His process with the justice system of this world! The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 NIV) 

Wow! We have a God who sees our faults…and yet gladly forgives us! All that matters to Him is that we say, just as I did to the police, "I plead guilty."

And compared to the police, God will not impute this guilt to you forever! The Bible even says, "The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV) 

Isn't that wonderful, friend? 

What guilt have you not yet confessed to Him? Or perhaps you are still living with a false image of God? Do you see Him as a punishing God? Then I want to encourage you today to experience Him for yourself: Ask Him for forgiveness and experience His love personally!

You’re a miracle!