Promises for the Battle
Forgiveness
Forgiven #3—Forgiven Love
“Her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven. … Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:47–50 Jesus suggests that we imagine ourselves to be debtors who owe more than … Continue reading
Forgiven #2—Justly Forgiven
If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, … the blood of God’s Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. … If we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:7–9 The one thing that we can … Continue reading
Forgiven #1—Forgiveness First
Then the Eternal passed by in front of Moses and proclaimed, “The Eternal, the Eternal God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in kindness and faithfulness; who preserves kindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet he will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” Exodus 34:6–7 Day by day, moment … Continue reading
Encouragements to Love #6—Blinded by Love
Because the culmination of all things is near, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer; above all maintaining a fervent love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7–8 (Proverbs 10:12; 17:9; James 5:20) The poets (Chaucer and Shakespeare) say, “Love is blind.” And it is, sort of. … Continue reading
Abundance #4—Forgiving Abundance
Let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them return to the Eternal, for he will have compassion on them; indeed, to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:7 “As far as the east is from the west” is abundant pardon. God will remove the power and punishment of … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About the Panorama of Grace
Grace is all about joy! God’s grace is how he expresses and how we experience the fullness of his joy. John Newton, the former slave ship captain turned Christian pastor and poet, celebrated his experience of God’s grace in song. His poem, “Amazing Grace,” written in 1772 to illustrate his 1773 New Year’s Sunday sermon, … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About the Blessing of Chastening
According to Deuteronomy 28:47, we are to serve the Lord with joyfulness and gladness of heart, “because of the abundance of all things.” My initial response is that I know of no one, myself included, who has an “abundance of all things.” Everyone senses deficiencies in some part of our lives. Nevertheless, according to this … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About a Good Reason to Rejoice at Easter
Sometimes the answer to the question Why celebrate Jesus’ resurrection? focuses on the forgiveness of our sin. That is a good reason to celebrate. Knowing that God no longer holds our sin against us, because Jesus cleared God’s name of any charge of unjustly doing good to those who deserve punishment, should take a load … Continue reading
Forgiveness #8—Pardoned Praise
You shall not hate your brother in your heart; … you shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge … but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; for I am the Eternal … who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Leviticus 19:19 O God, mercy, grace and peace are gifts from you … Continue reading
Forgiveness #7—Saving Forgiveness
Be on your guard so you don’t destroy faith! If other followers of Christ sin against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. And if one of them sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, “I repent,” forgive each one of them. Luke 17:3–4 We have … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 