Friday, November 16, 2007

What A Relief!

“How happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How happy is the man the Lord does not charge with sin, and in whose spirit is no deceit!”

What a true statement that is! One of life’s greatest joys is experiencing the forgiveness of sins. It is like being caged for years and years and then being released. Forgiveness is both liberating and exhilarating. Sin no longer has any teeth, so to speak, when forgiveness takes place. It is no longer the tyrant of one’s life, no longer the dominating influence over lifestyle. We may still sin from time to time, but we have a loving God who forgives us. Forgiveness frees us to actually live.

To be charged with sin by the Lord is to be condemned to death, to an eternal existence apart from God with no hope. What could possibly be worse than that? But our transgressions and sins are “covered.” That is, they have been covered over by the blood of Jesus Christ, so that God no longer sees them, and, therefore, no longer charges us with sin. Thus, through Jesus Christ we now have the joy of forgiveness and the genuineness of a life that is already eternal. We can live a life of honesty and integrity before the Lord.

What a great life this is! What a happy, blessed life! We who believe in Jesus are forgiven.

Father, Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the gracious gift You have given us through the crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. We rejoice in our forgiveness, and we pray that we may live a life each day marked by honesty and integrity. Amen.

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