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No Fishing Allowed
This week's focus: Forgiveness
I read a story about a man who pulled up behind a car with a “honk if you love Jesus” bumper sticker. Feeling friendly and wanting to encourage a fellow Christian, he honked his horn. Immediately, the driver exited his car and screamed, “It’s a red light! What's your problem?!” It didn’t take long for guilt and regret to set in for the embarrassed driver when the man smiled and pointed to the bumper sticker.
I’ve always remembered this story because I can relate. Whenever I think I’ve mastered my Christian walk, I’ll soon find myself flat on my face, humbled and reminded—once again—of why I need God’s grace and forgiveness.
In this fallen world, we will do or say things we regret. Paul the Apostle understood this when he wrote, “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want….Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! “(Romans 7:19, 24-25).
Yes! Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! It’s no wonder one of the acrostics for GRACE is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Jesus chose to go to the cross on our behalf, paying our fine in full. The moment we acknowledge our sins and turn to Him in repentance, we are not a “little bit” forgiven but wholly forgiven.
Unfortunately, many of us make the mistake of continually beating ourselves up over sins we’ve repented of—to our detriment and the enemy’s delight. This behavior minimizes the gift of grace by believing that what Jesus endured on the cross wasn’t enough and that we must supplement the suffering. Jesus took the full measure of the wrath we deserved and said, “It is finished.” We can’t add to Jesus’ completed work on the cross and shouldn’t even try.
Holocaust survivor Corrie ten Boom understood the gift of grace and forgiveness when she said, “When we confess our sins, God casts them into the deepest ocean, gone forever... Then God places a sign out there that says, ‘No Fishing Allowed.”
In humble gratitude and appreciation, let’s not rehearse what God has chosen to forget.
by: Jennifer McAlister, Communications, My Faith Votes
Psalm 103:11-12
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us."
Prayer Points:
Pray: Dear Jesus, We praise You for the undeserved kindness you extend to us. We love You and want to honor You by embracing Your gift of grace. Please help us to reflect You well by quickly forgiving others the way You have forgiven us.
Think: "When we stray from His presence, He longs for you to come back. He weeps that you are missing out on His love, protection, and provision. He throws His arms open, runs toward you, gathers you up, and welcomes you home." - Charles Stanley
Act: The upcoming Easter season is an opportune time to talk about the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection and to invite friends to Easter services at your church. Who do you know that needs to hear about God’s forgiveness, mercy, and love?
We want to see God honored in America, and we pray for an unprecedented spiritual awakening.
This devotion was produced in partnership with Every Home for Christ.
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