Sinners, Grace and Mercy

Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognise that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realise that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interest, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]. James 4:8-10 AMP

Here is a call to humble ourselves, a call to confess without any shadow of a doubt that we are sinners. For most of us we have divided hearts in so many ways, most of all in our ability to completely trust God and consistently follow His path for our lives. Easter is the perfect time to get more revelation of our need for greater humility.

Easter is also a great time to get more revelation of the grace and mercy God has given us, and how they are available to us, the sinners.

Let us fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favour to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 AMP

What a message of hope. We are not left or forsaken in our sin. We have a God who extends the hand of reconciliation through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. Let's reach out and grab His hand with both our hands. Today, let's accept the grace and mercy which is freely given to us.

My little children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God's law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father - [it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, Who conforms to the Father's will in every purpose, thought and action]. And He [that same Jesus Himself] in the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2 AMP