Half Forgiven or Fully Pardoned?

Lately I’ve been marveling at the extent of God’s forgiveness. When did you last tell someone that they were partially forgiven? You forgave them for 1/3 of what they did but they will have to indefinitely carry the guilt and shame of the other 2/3? If we don’t treat others this way, how much more forgiving must our Father be!

I’ve been considering a particular phrase that the prophet Isaiah penned so long ago. He urged the wicked sinner to forsake his waywardness and turn to the Lord. The wording used in the King James Version is “abundantly pardon”. That’s God’s response to our confession and repentance! There’s no stinted measure of forgiveness there! It’s full and complete pardon!

Horatio G. Spafford, after losing his daughters at sea, wrote the lyrics to one of the most beloved hymns of all time, It Is Well With My Soul. Revel with me as you read (and sing along perhaps) the third stanza: “My sin – O, the bliss of this glorious tho’t- My sin – not in part, but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!” Half-forgiven? NO! They’ve been cast into the sea of God’s forgetfulness, never to be remembered against us again . . . no more. (Note the double negative).

Be encouraged today, dear friend! Rejoice in the Father’s undeserved and unreserved pardon!

“Let the wicked forsake His way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God; for He will abundantly pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7 (KJV)

Thankful For What God Didn't Do

When we think of thanksgiving we naturally think of the great things which God has done and the blessings He has showered upon us.

The other day I was reminded that we should also be thankful for the things God DIDN'T do. Warren Wiersbe in his devotional book PRAYER, PRAISE & PROMISES quotes Psalm 103:10 to make his point. "He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities."

Wiersbe goes on to say, "The psalmist says that God "has not dealt with us according to our sins." On what basis does He deal with us? On the basis of the cross, the grace of God. Jesus Christ died for our sins, and God forgives them through the blood of His Son. We can come to Him and ask Him to forgive any sin. But the knowledge that God does not deal with you the way you deserve to be dealt with should not tempt you to tempt Him. Do not be fast and loose with sin. Hate sin, and rejoice today that you're walking with the Father on the basis of the cross of Jesus Christ."

Dear friends, be encouraged today that God sees us through His beloved Son. Thank Him for not dealing with us according to our sin. Grace and mercy have been extended to us from His loving hand. Rejoice in that fact today! Let's praise Him and graciously offer forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

HAVE A GOOD AND GODLY DAY!

Meaningful Touch

Many years ago I read the book, The Blessing, by John Trent. Since then I have taught others the Biblical concept of passing on "the blessing". Our Jewish friends are particularly adept at doing this. We could take a lesson from these dear people.

One of John Trent's methods of blessing others is "meaningful touch". Last winter on my Pilgrim Scribblings blog I talked about how one of our Peterborough Petes hockey players would always skate back to our goalie and tap his pads with his stick. There was a profound message in those taps. "Don't worry buddy, we'll get that one back" or "fantastic save, my friend"! Check out that post here.

Recently I received a comment from a friend telling me of how she forgave someone who, in his carelessness, allowed a bad situation to take place. Her act of forgiveness began with a
"meaningful touch". Let's allow her to tell the story:

He was crushed, David. I reached out and touched his forearm and said, "J, it was a terrible thing which happened but let's all learn from this so it doesn't happen again. You are forgiven. How could we not forgive you when Christ has forgiven us of so much."

I'm sure that touch on his forearm meant the world to that man!

Today you might have the opportunity to extend a blessing, or forgiveness, or just a touch of encouragement. It might begin with "meaningful touch". Take advantage of the opportunity the Lord gives you. Not only will the recipient be blessed but you will also.

Have a great day...and be encouraged!

"Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." - John 13:17 (NIV)