MINNESOTA BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

Restoring the Joy of Salvation!

by Dr. Lance T. Ketchum, MBA State Missionary

Return to the Altar

V. We need to return to the altar (the place of repentance, confession and forgiveness).

"Then will I go unto the altar of God." (Psalm 43:4a)

The "altar" is where we meet with God and God meets with us. If we want the joy of our salvation restored, we cannot neglect the Altar. All sin must be dealt with at the altar. There is no other place to deal with sin. The altar is the place where God is propitiated. Blood sacrifice propitiates God and forgiveness is given at the altar. Today, the Altar is at the feet of Jesus.

"⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:7-9)

This must precede true worship. Worship must flow through a clean vessel before it is acceptable to God. We cannot expect God to restore the joy of our salvation until we are willing to return wholly to Him in obedience and faithfulness (body, soul and spirit).

Repentance, confession and forgiveness of sin are all required in our spiritual cleansing to restore us to fellowship with God.