Beyond this place is joy for those who learn to trust the Lord.  And since we know that God cannot lie, we learn to believe that there is a certain joy in receiving his forgiveness now.  Those who believe this have proven that God is true.  Yes there is proof!  And any man can know it.

It is God’s glory to give, for he is life.  Therefore it is our glory to receive.  And we do not receive without a substantial reward.  For in the soul of he who receives is proof that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him.  It is not the reward that comes from the things of this world.

To the soul who is yet blind, such words carry no weight.  But to those who have received, a joyful amen comes quickly.

This world will offer you a billion alternatives to the pain you now suffer.  They offer you pleasure of every possible sort to alleviate your troubled soul. 

I am over 60 years old now and have searched this world for the things that help.  from the sensual to the religious, and all things in between, I have looked.  I have found nothing that compares to the palpable forgiveness of God in Christ Jesus.

They offer what will deaden a man’s senses.  They offer distractions.  But such things are not effective in alleviating our guilt before the Holy One; a guilt that troubles us every day and every night of our life.

The guilt of the soul causes hatred of every sort.  It stifles love.  Its restrains joy to temporary distractions.  You know sooner grasp a joyful moment, and it is taken away.  You want to love, but the guilt of your soul proves you are unlovely.  So you end up striking out in various ways, or trying in vain to cover your shame.

Yoga teaches tranquility of mind.  But nothing in the body can bring tranquility to the soul.  Religions of this world teach sacrifice.  But God has chosen his own sacrifice, therefore he does not accept the sacrifice of men for their salvation.  No sacrifice a man can make brings tranquility to the soul.  For God has chosen his door of giving.

The riches of this world can be gathered, yes.  And for a time they alleviate the stress upon our minds.  Yet the soul is restless and full of guilt and shame.  And the one who puts his trust in the things he can gather or do, is not at peace deep within himself.   He only finds himself looking for another way.

But the tranquility that comes from the forgiveness of Christ is complete.  One moment a man’s guilt is upon him.  He can feel it as if it is a thick blanket.  The next moment he is free and full of joy.  An unexplainable transformation has taken place.  Unspeakable piece has arrived.

Where foreboding was, now joyful expectation comes.  Tears flow.  But they are not the tears of a man.  They are the tears of a son of God.

I know we have sinned.  I know we feel guilty to the very center of our soul; a guilt that our hands cannot reach.  I know that in our great weakness we look for anything to alleviate this pain. That is the first part of the gospel of Christ.  But if that is all there is, then there is no hope.

But the one who puts his faith in the Holy son of God, and continues throughout his life to look to him for help, will find himself full of an unearthly joy.  It is not the joy of child feels at Christmas time.  It is an unshakable peace.  The man’s Maker has come and healed him.

Men laugh at this message.  But even those who laugh, desire it to be true.  It is true my friend.  The joy you desire lay just beyond the door of pride. 

At the threshold of humility a man finds what he needs.  If a man will put away the knowledge of his own mind, and understand these things by faith, he will find he has hope.  This hope will not disappoint him, if he continues to live in it. And in time, all the remedies of this world pale to oblivion.

I do not speak of this as one who has only heard.  I speak of this as one who continually proves that the Lord’s gospel is powerful, effective, true and eternal.  And I speak of this as one who’s conscience is clean.  It is not that I am sinless.  It is that the forgiveness of Christ is stronger than my guilt.  And I testify that his forgiveness affects my soul.

If you will listen to these words and seek His face with all you have, You too will be able to prove the glory of God in Christ Jesus.