Being Forgiven

 “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭32:27 KJV‬‬

“What is your name?” asked the Man.  “Jacob” he replied.  “Not anymore,” the Man said to him.  “Your new name is Israel, for you have struggled both with God and with people and have overcome.”  This was a strange question because God knew his name.  God touched not only his thigh but also his slumbering conscience, when his father Isaac had asked Jacob the same question and he had replied, “I am Esau”.  That time he had got away with taking advantage of his father and brother.  But now Jacob acknowledged by speaking out his name, his nature.  “I am a deceiver, a cheat.  My name is heel grabber.”  The Lord was insisting that His blessings would only begin when Jacob realised the true need of his heart.  Jacob’s confession liberated Jacob and opened the way for inner transformation.  Jacob was forgiven.  We, the redeemed are privileged in Christ to be forgiven and that’s why we don’t give up. For even though our outer person gradually wears out, our inner being is renewed every single day.  Jacob’s encounter with the living God made him a prince.  Our encounter with the living Christ has made us kings and priests before God!  Hallelujah!