Scripture:

Romans 1:21, “For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened.”

Context:

Romans 1 refers to man’s idolatry, immorality, suppressing the truth, and opposing the will of God. When we turn away from God, it distorts our thinking, and our hearts grow dark.

Personal Story:

Tomorrow is “Sanctity of Life Sunday,” a day that acknowledges the high number of abortions that take place in the US and worldwide. It is a day that reminds me when my thinking “became worthless, and my senseless heart was darkened.” At 24 years old, I was living a life that did not glorify God nor was honoring to my parents. I became pregnant, and in agreement, we decided to have the baby’s life terminated. Every sin comes from the “worthless thinking and the senseless heart.” There was no doubt that my heart had become darkened. Thankfully, at the age of 39, I had met my husband Dave, and he started taking me to church with him. I began to hear the truth of Jesus, and I willingly gave my life to Jesus. Dave became my ‘kinsman redeemer.”

But because I saw Dave as a good and godly man, I did not tell him about the abortion for the first year of our marriage. During that first year, I decided that I wanted to “pay God back” for what I had done. I walked into Prestonwood Pregnancy Center and asked if I could volunteer. Unbeknown to me, the first question they ask is, “Have you ever had an abortion?” At that moment I knew that I could lie or tell the truth and something in my spirit just prompted me to be honest. For 15 years, I had never spoken the sin aloud to anyone and now, here was my opportunity to confess it.

James 5:15-16 says, “And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will rise them up. If they have sinned they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

It was in that very moment as soon as I confessed my sin, that I was truly able to repent and ask God for forgiveness. He began the healing process, and He has since taken layer upon layer off me, layers of unforgiveness, shame, and doubt that anyone like me could belong to him. For God it is never too late to redeem us and transform us.

-Anne Ruff

Application

There is nothing too hard, too big, or too dark that God cannot handle when you confess it, repent from it, and ask for forgiveness. Do not hesitate to clear the slate. Do not hesitate to start anew with God, our Father, our Redeemer.