Forgiveness

[Betty]

Title: When God Forgives, He Forgets

Exodus 3:6; Psalm 51:5-10

Even though Isaac lacked the experience for
occupying his father's position, God chose to
refer to Himself as "the God of Isaac."

The common, everyday life of a person is precious
to God. Because Isaac had faith in God and
walked humbly before Him, God blotted out Isaac's
mistakes and weaknesses.

Those who walk humbly before God and confess
their sins to Him are promised: "I will be
merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins
and their iniquities will I remember no more"
(Heb. 8:12).

When God forgives, He forgets. This was seen in
Isaac's case, for when God referred to him in the
New Testament, He did not mention his
weaknesses--only his faith.

Isaac's great mistake of seeking to pass the
blessing on to Esau rather than to Jacob is
completely passed by in the New Testament. That
sin had been covered over and removed through
Christ's shed blood for the sins of the world.

God will also do the same for you. His Word
promises: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy
transgressions for mine own sake, and will not
remember thy sins" (Isa. 43:25).


Author: Theodore Epp

[forgiven]

_________________________________________________________

Title: The Divine Level

Read Psalm 35:11-21

On which level of life are you living--on the
human level, the demonic level or the divine
level? On the human level we return good for good
and evil for evil. That's the way most people
live. But when we live on this level, we really
don't grow. In fact, we become like other people.
The human level turns life into a war, into a
selfish competition. And that's not the Christian
way to live. Only God knows when something is
truly evil. What someone does to you today might
ultimately turn out to be the best thing that's
ever happened to you. On the surface it may look
like evil, but God can turn it into good.

Nor do we want to live on the demonic level. In
Psalm 35 we read about those who return evil for
good. David says, "They reward me evil for good,
to the sorrow of my soul" (v. 12). That's the
level the Devil lives on. He always returns evil
for good.

But David lived on the divine level. He returned
good for evil (vv. 13,14). He expressed love
toward his enemies. He didn't simply return good
for good and evil for evil. And he certainly
didn't return evil for good. No, David returned
good for evil. He anticipated the words of our
Lord Jesus Christ: "Love your enemies, bless
those who curse you, do good to those who hate
you, and pray for those who spitefully use you
and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).

Let's live on the divine level--that dynamic
level of love where we live like the Lord Jesus
Christ.

It's often difficult to do good toward those who
have wronged you. But God wants you to live on
the divine level and return good for evil. How do
you treat others? The next time you are wronged
by someone, choose to treat that person with
kindness. God will use your actions to bring
glory to Himself.

Author: Warren Wiersbe

[Betty]

Author: Woodrow Kroll
Ruth 1:6
Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she
might return from the country of Moab, for she
had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord
had visited His people by giving them bread.
Heading Home
A Christian man took his eyes off God and
committed a crime. He was arrested and served a
seven-year sentence in a penal institution.
Through an encounter with a Barnabas-like pastor,
however, this man was led to know the restorative
power of the blood of Jesus Christ. On the
flyleaf of his Bible he wrote, "The soul that
comes to Jesus through failure, shame, or pain,
by His wondrous love and mercy may soar as high
again."
The famine that God sent on Israel had brought a
great deal of pain. It had been the primary
motivation for Elimelech and his family to
migrate to Moab. But for those who remained in
the land, this tribulation apparently
accomplished its purpose. The people repented of
their sins and turned to God. For His part, God
graciously restored their food supply. As the
reports of Israel's recovery reached Moab,
Naomi's desire was turned back toward her
homeland. Although God still had work to do in
her heart, this decision was the first step in
her restoration to Him.
When we have sinned and turned our backs on God,
the Lord often sends chastening events into our
lives. As our hearts are brought to the breaking
point, we sometimes wonder if God will receive us
back. Is it possible for someone who has dwelt in
a distant land for many years to come home again?
The answer is always yes. Even though our sins
are like scarlet, they can be washed white as
snow (Isa. 1:18).
Have you wandered away from God? Have you been
away too long? Do you fear what His response will
be if you return to Him? Take heart. Jesus said,
"The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast
out" (John 6:37). Confess your sins, place them
under the blood of Christ, and turn yourself
toward home.
Repentant sinners always find God has the welcome
mat out.