E-votional - Forgiveness 
September 5, 2001
Verse:
"But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

2 Corinthians 3:16-17 (NRSV)

 

Thought:

Not to long ago, after giving a sermon about King David and Bathsheba, I was asked why God forgave David. David was after all, the apple of God's eye. There was something very special about the relationship between the two. God had given everything to David, yet he wanted even that which he was not to have. The interesting thing here is that it is less about David and all about God.

Hear the Good News, God forgives by Grace and God offers to all this Grace. There is even a difference between Grace and forgiveness. Simply put, forgiveness is what we ask for and seek. We can ask, beg and demand it. Someone else can even insist that we forgive another, but grace is different. Grace is something that can't really ask for, it is something we can hope for, but really it is up to the giver. As people who have been offered Grace, the wonderful, self-giving and selfless gift, it is up to us to move on, and be a living reminder, an advertisement of this gift. But, like the giving of this gift, being that reminder and advertisement is something that can not be forced or expected. It can only be given freely, from your heart and soul. So, I guess it is up to you.

Prayer:
Gracious God, why oh why You ever reached out to me, is at times beyond my though and reason, yet at other times I think I understand better. It is at those times when I am doing something out of love and compassion for another that it seems like I am getting a glimpse of the Kingdom. Let me love others and be both a living reminder and advertisement of Your grace all of my days.  And when I stumble, help me up and lead me on again. Thank you Father, for all You have done and all You will continue to do in my life. Amen.