C25. Come, Forgive and Guide
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C25. Come, Forgive and Guide
Let me briefly reflect on the three „words“ that we present to an open interested party as a challenge within presenting them the Good News:
„Jesus, come into my life, forgive me and lead me.“
We have verified many times that it is really not enough to „explain the Gospel“ to a Czech person and then tell them: „And now accept Jesus…“ An ordinary person has no idea what to do. A religious person might be reminded of „Holy Communion“ in church, when you tell them to „accept Jesus“. We are looking for an „example of prayer“ that our searching friend would grasp on the spot and immediately be able to express with understanding. We want the essence to be:
- biblical,
- simple enough
- and easily transferable to other people.
The result of our search is often – even with gestures –repeated formulation:
„Jesus, please COME into my life, FORGIVE me and GUIDE me.“
(1) „COME“ we understand as an expression of longing for Jesus himself. Not just a cry for His help. Come – I want to experience Your closeness, I want to communicate with You. Biblically, it might remind you the words of Jesus: Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20) George, who hears Jesus‘ „knocking“, is encouraged to say: „Jesus, come!“ It is a reflection of John’s words: But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12) The invitation „come into my life“ actually means: „I accept You!“
„Jesus, please (1) come into my life, (2) FORGIVE me all the wrongdoings.“
The plea „forgive“ is the first hint of what we call „repentance“ in Christianeese. Saying „forgive“ I confess that my current life is not right, that I want to change it.
It is the first step to John’s expression: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) In the next steps, we guide the new George to learn to confess his badness to Jesus specifically and regularly. As we say „come, forgive and guide“ when explaining the Bridge over the gap, then it is obvious that the essence of that forgiving is the bridge of Jesus‘ sacrifice on the cross. Shortly before, we pointed that no human attempts will get us to God!
„Jesus, please (1) come into my life, (2) forgive me of all wrongs, and (3) guide me.“
„Guide me“ reflects the desire for Jesus to become my Lord. It is the first step to Paul’s statement: For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. (Romans 8:14) „Guide me“ is actually the first expression of submission to Jesus, an indication of accepting Jesus‘ authority…
„Jesus, please (1) come into my life, (2) forgive me of all wrongs, and (3) guide me.
The criterion of simplicity is tested by the question of whether any of the items could be omitted. If nothing can be left out, it is an „irreducible minimum“.
If COME were missing, all that would be left would be forgive and guide me. But I would stay alone! Cleaned maybe and with instructions on what to do and what not to do, but alone! By asking „come into my life“, I say: „I want Your closeness, I long to talk with You…!“
If we forgot the word FORGIVE, only come and guide me would be left. A kind of „spiritual connection“ and instructions how not to fall into a pit when you guide me, but the forgiveness and the resulting inner transformation that is absolutely essential for real contact with the holy Creator would be missing.
If there was no GUIDE me, only come and forgive would remain. Perhaps I would have a good feeling that I am forgiven, and I would also have some spiritual experiences from being close to Him. But according to Romans 10:9, accepting eternal salvation is part of „confessing Jesus as lord!“ Jesus wants to guide us in a very practical way and involve us in his work!
By the way, we don’t think George would be „saved“ by these three words only: „Jesus, please come – forgive me – guide me.“ But many times it was the beginning of George’s journey to devotion to Jesus and to following Him. It was the beginning of „repentance and faith,“ if one wants the Christian terms.
Thank you, Jesus, that you CAME into my life, that you FORGAVE me perfectly and still forgive, and GUIDE me…