forgiveness

February 18, 2020 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Courage and Forgiveness

Courage and Forgiveness

Looking at the final hours of Jesus’ life, I can’t imagine going through what he did. The beatings, humiliation, torture and, of course, those agonizing hours on the cross. It’s sickening to think about.

Jesus was the most courageous man I know. He wasn’t forced to go to the cross. He went willingly. He was God and could have vanished from sight. But he was on a mission to save the world.

Jesus went to the cross to forgive. He extended forgiveness to you, me and all of mankind. We didn’t deserve this priceless treasure.

His gift was made real when he sacrificed his life for us. Without the cross, there would be no forgiveness.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NIV)

Jesus said that about his torturers, but he also said that about us who wrong him every day. What a courageous man offering forgiveness to that magnitude.

Do you need to forgive someone? Are you finding it hard to get over a sinful act someone committed against you? Have you turned your back on forgiveness? On that other person?

If so, you’re human. It’s the natural thing to do. However, it’s not what God wants you to do. Just like Jesus, you have a choice to forgive.

You’re not being asked to go to the cross, but it might feel that way. Your pain of being wronged seems too much to bear. You can’t bring yourself to forgive that person.

What gave Jesus the courage to go to the cross? What empowered him to face the pain? How in the world could he extend eternal forgiveness to mankind? To this humanity that has wronged him since the Garden?

Love.

Jesus loves you. He loved you on the cross when he saw you way back then. He saw everyone throughout history. He witnessed all our sin, which pained him to the core. Yet, despite the horror of the cross, Jesus went there to deal with our sin, to heal our relationship with him. And with his Father.

Love gave Jesus the courage to face the cross, where he poured out his blood. Even more, he poured out his forgiveness.

Love will give you the courage to forgive. Love that person as Jesus did. He went to the cross for them and for the very act you’re forgiving.

Oh, how you’ll need the power and grace of God to forgive. That’s why it comes back to your love relationship with Jesus. Approach your Savior. Thank him for his forgiveness. Ask for his power to love the other person. That’s your only hope.

Forgiveness will follow.

(From my new Devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Courage. Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback).

August 22, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on The Encouragement of God’s Love

The Encouragement of God’s Love

This is amazing! He created everything out of nothing. He threw the universe into existence. He caused the sun to rise and set and has done it every day since he set the earth into motion. He created man and every living thing.

And he loves you.

The God of the universe, the Lord and creator of all, loves you. If that isn’t downright shocking, I don’t know what is.

Sometimes I pinch myself to realize this truth. I can wander through my day without ever thinking about his everlasting, sacrificial, deep, unchanging love for me. When I do stop and ponder it, my heart announces, “This is fabulous!”

He loves us so much that, when you and I accepted his gift of salvation, he adopted us into his family. Really? Why you? Why me? Certainly not because we deserved to be adopted, but because he chose us. He chose to shower his love on us as a Father.

Years ago, there I was, ignoring God and living for myself. Out of the blue, he decided to adopt me. He did the same for you.

Be encouraged by these loving benefits as God’s adopted child:

Eternal life. You get to live with him forever. This adoption is permanent.

Acceptance. You don’t have to earn his love, just like your kids don’t have to earn yours.

Forgiveness. Good-bye guilt. Hello peace of mind. When you accepted God’s gift of his Son and confessed your sins, you were forgiven. Forever.

Family. You’re part of the biggest family ever. Every other person who has been adopted by God is your brother and sister. You share some pretty high privileges.

Wise, loving direction. God offers his wisdom to you whenever you need it.

Known. Every hair on your head is numbered by God. He sees you as an individual and knows your every desire and thought.

Care. Like a shepherd cares for his sheep, you’re cared for by God, day and night.

Blessings. Your blessings as a family member are too many to list here. But try these for starters:  peace, hope, inheritance and the Holy Spirit inside you.

Faithfulness. One thing you always can count on is God’s faithfulness. Here’s just one example: “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV)

God isn’t a force far away. He is personal. He is a loving Daddy who is near to you. Take a few minutes and reflect on your encouraging privileges as an adopted child of the Heavenly Father.

(From my new devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Encouragement. Available from Amazon in Kindle and paperback editions.)


July 23, 2019 Jfuglerwriter Comments Off on Freedom!

Freedom!

When I managed a Christian radio station several years ago, I had the chance to visit a prison where some of the most notorious criminals were incarcerated. The station had become a favorite of many Christian inmates. One wrote, “It’s the talk of the yard!”

I sat through the rousing chapel service and shared my testimony, which was nowhere near as dramatic as theirs. Many of these men faced a future behind bars – for life. However, what struck me was their intense joy in experiencing Christ’s forgiveness. No matter what their crime, they were free in God’s eyes.

Just like these men, God’s forgiveness should ignite in us that same energized joy and gratitude. Christ’s death on the cross has given you the amazing gift of forgiveness for any and every sin you’ve committed. Jesus has freed you from the penalty of sin. Forgiveness is the key that opens the prison door.

Living in the freedom of forgiveness is something that many believers struggle with. We know we’re forgiven, but we don’t feel like it. We’re still carrying around the weight of guilt. It saps our joy. The Christian life isn’t fresh like it should be.

Why is that?

My friend, the full freedom of forgiveness is not just a state of being. It’s a state of living. The loving forgiveness of God should lead us to turn away from sin that plagues us.

When we don’t turn from our sin, we’re missing the point of forgiveness.

Paul said it this way, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” (Romans 6:1-2 NIV) In other words, since God has already forgiven me, aren’t I free to live the way I want to, even if I know it’s not right?

Your forgiven state of being exists because of the work Jesus did on the cross. What an awesome, encouraging reality.

Your forgiven state of living is like diving into the deep end of the pool on a hot day. You’re fully immersed in the refreshment of that cool, reviving water.

Living in forgiveness means consistently turning from self to God. There’s a word for that. Repentance. It’s one of the most freeing experiences you can know. That’s what those inmates knew. Instead of walking into the tight grip of sin, run away from it into the loving arms of Jesus.

Living in the freedom of forgiveness often means taking courageous next steps. These brave actions can finally release you from the chains of guilt that keep you from enjoying a forgiven life. I’m talking about restitution. Is there something you need to do to restore a relationship? It may range from asking forgiveness to repaying a debt or compensating for damages.

Now might be the time to have a heart-to-heart with Jesus. Yes, God’s forgiveness is freedom from the penalty of sin. It takes a load of guilt off your shoulders. But if you want to experience the full freedom of forgiveness in this world, come to Jesus then go to others to keep the slate clean. And your conscience as well.

I can’t think of anything more encouraging than living in total freedom before God and others.

(From my new devotional, Your Life With God: 30 Days of Encouragement. Available on Amazon).

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