Oak Hill Church of Christ 1-12-25 Message: "The Only Tattoo Worth Its Ink"

Oak Hill Church of Christ preaching minister, Randy Sterling, delivers a message on the value of remembering that God knows us so deeply and yet still forgives our sins.

"NO RAGRETS" the tattoo is a meme for a reason. All to hastily, we can make choices that have lasting consequences without considering them at all. This can be done in hubris, where we believe there's no possible way our decision can be wrong. It can also be done in foolishness, where we simply fail to grasp the permanence of our choice. Removing the results of our choices can sometimes be as difficult as the removal of the poorly executed tattoo.

In a way, sin is a tattoo left on our bodies. Sometimes, its a tattoo others can see in the form of a mugshot for stealing, or a sandwich sign that says 'I Cheated'. Other times, it's one that only God can see. The devil loves to remind us of our failings, of the tattoos that represent our poor choices and regretful decisions. Sometimes, the temptation we receive is not to do things that are sinful, but the temptation to live in fear that our sins are beyond redemption: 'Look at you, you're disgusting! Look how you're covered in sin, who would save you? You think God will still listen?'

Yet, the Bible tells us that the truth of God's love is the exact opposite of our fear. Psalm 103 tells us that God removes our sins and has compassion for us. He looks at us like a father does to a child. Not only is he strong to save, but he's yearning to do it. The only thing missing is our humble request.

If you've been living in fear that your mistakes are permanently etched and can never be washed away, consider the power of God, through the blood of Christ which washes away all sins. For the Christian, the only thing permanent is God's love for us.

As Isaiah 49 tells us, God inscribes our very name on the palms of His hands. A painful place to etch, but God didn't use a needle, He used a nail. His Son Jesus was pierced and he bears those marks still, a reminder that the love of the Father knows no excesses.

Won't you come to God this week, remember His love for you, and ask to be wiped clean again? What a wonderful New Year that would be.