As Far As the East is from the West.

Psalm 103:8-12
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.

Have you heard the song by Casting Crowns entitled "East to West"? It's a great song on the #1 spot for nineteen consecutive weeks on the Hot Christian Songs chart. I'm pretty sure part of this song may have originated from this bible verse.

It's so wonderful that God has such vast forgiveness for our sins that I thought I'd talk more about forgiveness today. In fact the east and west will never meet as long as you talk about forgiveness.

Every time God forgives us, he's done with it. He doesn't punish us because of our sins. He sends it far away where it can never be found It's time to move on and not focus on the past as God has wiped YOUR slate clean. Go ahead and praise him!

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” ~Paul Boese

The words to the chorus of "East to West" are below followed by a video of the song from you tube.

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other



Over the next three days we will be talking about sin - how it tempts us and what we can do.
Thursday: Sin Separates Us from God.
Friday: A Bandit is on the Loose!
Saturday: Volunteer Sinner.