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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion Tuesday, July 15, 2003 "Forgiveness Frees" |
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Frontline Devotion for Tuesday, July 15, 2003 By Fritz Foltz
We are reading a portion of an early sermon. After reviewing Jesus’ life and resurrection, Paul summarizes Jesus’ achievement as forgiveness of our sins that he then defines as setting us free.
In one sense forgiveness is just another form of healing. Forgiveness heals in three ways. First, it allows the victim to recover and get on with life. Until we forgive, we cannot be free. We remain chained to the past, in bondage to hurtful memories, caught in a web of resentment and revenge. When we forgive, we refuse to allow the sinner determine our actions. When we return good for evil, we deny even terrorists their victory by refusing to let their terror drive us from being Christ’s people. Our prayer today remains the same as it was two years ago, “Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love.”
Second, forgiveness offers hope that the sinner can be healed and recover as well. Sin destroys the sinner as well as the victim. It cripples and twists and perverts the sinner. We know the terrorists on September 11 were bloodthirsty but nevertheless they were brothers who murdered their privileged siblings, Cains killing Abels. So we refuse to demonize them, just as we refuse to demonize our own children. We desire their healing.
Finally, forgiveness heals our broken world. Christians know that always involves sacrifice. We must always be willing to suffer for the sins of other people. That is certainly what Christ means when he calls us to follow him, to participate in his redemption of the world, by taking up our own crosses. We are only able to do that when we believe Christ can truly makes all things new, that someday even the wolf and lamb shall feed together, that the day is coming when people every where shall be able to put their children to bed without fear.
Let us pray: We thank you, Father, for freeing us from the pain of the past, from the sins that have held us back. Grant us also the compassion to forgive those who sin against us that they too might be freed. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry. Pastor Dave welcomes and appreciates feedback. pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org.