Who was my Grandad? I know who he was, and I understand that this is a largely uninteresting topic for many, but my my Grandad was a regular man.  As a regular man I’m sure he was plagued with doubts and regrets, guilt and shame for things he did wrong.  But my Grandad was no ordinary man.  He was a man in Christ.  He was a pillar of the church and he believed in Jesus with his whole heart. 

But what does it mean to believe in Jesus?  What possible change could that cause in my Grandad?  What could take him from being a regular man to being a man in Christ?  My Grandad, though he was fallible and flawed was made righteous, clean, and free through Jesus death and resurrection.  He believed it, and I believe it to.  I know that all the things I have done wrong, all the things that draw me away from God can be done away with through trusting in Jesus.  I know that because God became a man and died for me, that I am forgiven of all these things.  Jesus life was a gift which I, my mum, my dad, my brother and my Grandad have accepted.  God loves everyone, indeed so much so that he died on a cross so that all who believe in him might have eternal life.  Through turning away from God we have damaged ourselves, but God desires that we turn back to him and live.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1

You can accept the gift that Jesus gives.  Pray and ask for forgiveness, confess that Jesus died for you and tell God that you believe in him, that you turn away from all that is evil towards God, who loves you so much that he died for you.

If you have prayed this prayer, or something along similar lines, tell someone.  Freedom in Christ is a great thing!

Peace and Grace,

Tim