Hebrews 10:18 “Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.”

BATTER UP

Softball! Have you ever had a child who played? Our daughter played when she was younger. We loved watching her play the games with her friends. I truly think it more about the socialization than the game itself, but she loved it. What I didn’t enjoy were those weekend tournaments. You know, those double elimination ones. Most of the season if you lost, that was it, but not in these tournaments. If you lost one game, you just got moved to another bracket and kept playing until you lost again. You had a second chance to redeem yourself. This made the weekend a long one sometimes.

Jesus didn’t need a second try. He got it right the first time. He died once for all. Through His death all sin was forgiven, therefore, “there is no longer any offering for sin.” I am so glad that it true. And just like His death was necessary only once, my salvation is necessary only once. The day I confess my sin and ask Him into my heart, I am sealed with a promise. It can never be undone. I did nothing to save myself, so once I accept His gift of eternal life, there is nothing I can do to unsave myself.

TEACHING MOMENT

How do we explain this to our children so they can understand? Have you had to forgive them lately for something they have done? If so, this is a perfect verse to use in that situation. Explain to them that your forgiveness doesn’t get erased when they mess up again. Sure, you may be disappointed, but you don’t stop loving them. Tell them the Lord forgives them for all their sins once, when they ask Him in their hearts. He, too, is disappointed in our disobedience, but his forgiveness never stops.

Too many Christians believe they have to start all over again if they mess up. That is a lie the devil loves for us to believe. It is defeating. It is depressing. It is discouraging. But most of all, it is deceitful because it is not true. We are promised by the Lord that He will never leave nor forsake us. He is the great Promise Keeper. Believe Him!