Forgiven and Changed

2 Corinthians 5:19 (NIV)

That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

Two brothers were convicted of stealing sheep in the old days in England. In accordance with the brutal punishment of those times, they were branded in the forehead with the letters ST--Sheep Thief. One brother, unable to bear the stigma, fled to a foreign country where he tried to hide himself. He wandered from land to land and at last died full of bitterness, and was buried in a forgotten grave. The other brother repented of his misdeed and did not try to run away from home. He said, "I can't get away from the fact that I once stole sheep, but I will remain here until I win back the respect of my neighbors and my own self-respect.

The years passed, and he gradually established a reputation for respectability and integrity, honesty and worth. At last a stranger in town saw an old man hobbling along with the letters ST branded on his forehead and asked a native what they signified. After thinking for a while, the villager said, "It all happened a long time ago, and I have forgotten the particulars. But I think the letters are an abbreviation for Saint."

There it is--the wonderful grace of God in the penitent, believing heart can change and transform the character and turn the very scars of sin into a badge of honor and beauty.

Dear Lord, we thank You that because of You our past can be made perfect. We thank You for being a forgiving God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Jesus Signed My Pardon

Exodus 34:9 (New International Version)

“Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.”

Some people have been so long in sin that their state of mind is very similar to that of a certain prisoner who for years was incarcerated in the Ohio state penitentiary. The prison commissioners went to the governor and secured pardons for five men. The prisoners were all brought into the chapel, and the chairman said: "I hold in my hand pardons for five men." Instantly every man was as still as death. Many turned pale. The suspense was awful. Hearts seemed almost to stop beating. He called out the first name: "Reuben Johnson will come and get his pardon."

He held it out, but no one came forward to receive it. He turned to the warden, "Are the prisoners all here?" The warden told him they were. So he repeated, "Reuben Johnson will come and get his pardon; it is signed by the governor, and he is a free man." But no one moved. The chaplain then looked right down to where Reuben was. He was well known, had been there nineteen years, and others were looking at him, expecting him to spring to his feet. He himself was looking about trying to find the man who had been pardoned.

Finally the chaplain caught his eye, and said, "Reuben, you are the man." Reuben turned and looked behind him to see who was being addressed. He had to call again before the truth began to steal over him. He arose, came down the aisle, trembling from head to foot, and received his pardon. Then he went back to his seat, buried his face in his hands, and wept.

When the prisoners fell into rank to march back to their cells, Reuben got back into the ranks too; and the chaplain had to call him, "Reuben, get out of the ranks; you are a free man!"

How often sinners have a similar experience in obtaining their pardon! Reuben was a long time getting it into his head that the pardon was for him; but how gladly he accepted it when the truth dawned upon him! You must do the same. This story tells how men give out pardons. They are given only to a few. But God says, "Whosoever will" may take his pardon. There is one for you. Don't say, "I don't feel like coming after it."

Dear Lord we thank You for the pardon You have for each one of us. We thank You for taking our sin upon yourself so that we may be pardoned for all the wrongs we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Forgiven and Adopted

Matthew 9:2 (New International Version)

Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.

The novelist, A. J. Cronin, tells a story from his own experience as a doctor that catches the wonder of the gift of grace. Cronin was a friend of the Adams family who lived in the Connecticut suburbs. At the close of the Second World War, Mr. and Mrs. Adams decided to open their home to a little refugee boy from Italy with the outlandish name of Paul Piotrostanalsi.

The Adams had two daughters and a six-year old son named Sammy. Sammy and Paul became inseparable friends, but little Paul was a difficult child, and often disobeyed Mr. and Mrs. Adams. One day, little Paul went swimming in some contaminated water. He became very ill with a high fever, and the doctor suggested he sleep in an attic bedroom. But little Sammy missed his friend Paul so much that one night he crept up the attic stairs and into bed with Paul. Paul's contagious breath fell on Sammy's neck all night.

In the morning, Sammy, never a strong child, became deathly ill. Paul recovered his health, but Sammy died within three days. It was a terrible tragedy for the Adams family.

A year later Dr. Cronin decided to pay a call on the Adams family. But as he pulled into their driveway, he was amazed and then angry as he saw Paul, the refugee boy, working in the garden with Mr. Adams. He got out of his car and angrily approached Mr. Adams.

"What's this Paul Pio........whatever his name is, doing here after what he did to your family?"

Mr. Adams looked at the doctor and then said quietly, "Dr. Cronin, you won't have any more trouble with Paul's name. You see, he's Paul Adams now. We've adopted him."

God has more than forgiven us, He as adopted us. 

Dear Lord thank You for the forgiveness You have given to each of us. But more than that thank You for adopting us as Your children. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Our Sins Are Forgiven

We can be forgiven of our sins! That's great, but there's even better news. We can be purified of any stain from sin!! That's incredible: not only am I forgiven, but I'm also made clean and new again! But only because of God's grace and perfect sacrifice for our sins.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

— 1 John 1:9

Dear Lord, please forgive us today for our lack of passion to love and forgive others in the way you have so graciously forgiven us. Create in us a heart like your own: faithful, forgiving, and gracious. In Jesus’ Name. Amen