11/03/2022 - A COVENANT WITH THE LORD

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And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  Luke 15:21

Jesus declared that the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). He gives man the opportunity to start over, without the stains of a wrong life full of condemnation on his conscience. When we understand the importance of repenting from our mistakes, the Comforter offers us a covenant of forgiveness and eternal life, but for this to occur and come into existence in us, it is necessary – that we fulfill what He commands us.

The young man did not let just his feelings take over him, but he understood that he had to tell his father of his sin against Heaven, and he did so in God´s presence, understanding that he could no longer be called a son. On his way back home, he remembered his actions and what he should tell his father; after all, by doing so, he could be forgiven. Even though he felt unworthy, he wanted to be treated as one of the farm workers.

Sin is like an indestructible sculpture, built by us before God. Nothing can destroy it except the confession of a truly repentant heart. In his faith, the young man repeated what he would tell his father. The Scriptures say: He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy (Proverbs 28:13). Even though he was embraced by his father, he acknowledged his transgression against Heaven.

Whoever fulfills the divine command finds that the Lord executes what was promised. Jonah had everything to go down in history as an obedient prophet, and not as a fugitive. By sending him to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian barbarians, God had already prepared him to lead that people to repentance. Jonah tried to flee from the mission and ended up in the belly of a great fish. Then he prayed, promised to obey the Most High, and saw that Nineveh was easy to save (Read Jonah, from chapter 1 to 3). Amen!

In a storm, the disciples saw the figure of a person walking on the water and thought it was a ghost. Jesus calmed them, saying “It is I,” and Peter answered: “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28). This disciple also walked on water, but when he took his eyes off the Master, he began to sink and cried out for help. Christ helped him and rebuked him, for a servant must do exactly as he is told. God is faithful!

The person who changes the Lord’s commands denies the Covenant made, and then He can no longer fulfill His part. Whoever refuses to follow the divine command becomes a liar and cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The Most High has decreed: But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie (Revelation 22:15).

The liar will not be admitted into the Kingdom of Truth. The most important thing, after having had the encounter with the Savior, is to do what you felt was necessary. To change what has been agreed upon is to break the promises; soon, one will lose all blessings. With Christ, you are a conqueror (Romans 8:37). Persevere to ascend with Him!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares