lavish gift

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14

Forgiveness: to grant free pardon to and to give up all claim on account of an offense or debt

Excuse: to attempt to lessen the blame attached to a fault or offense

My Abba,

Thank you for showing me the vast difference between excusing and forgiving. Thank you that your forgiveness does not depend on my attempts to lessen the blame for my offenses.

I realize that I still, at times, come to you with my list of extenuating circumstances. I say, “I’m sorry.” But conspicuously lurking behind my apology is my excuse. “I did this because I was sad … tired … mad … hurt … afraid,” and so on.

I know you don’t need to consider my enlightening explanations to pardon me. Thank you that you base forgiveness on Christ’s payment for my sin, not on how convincingly I defend myself. If you left it up to me, I would be hamstrung by the futility of my best efforts.

I am counting on you because you have promised me, “It is finished.” You don’t need me to add anything to your perfect provision for my imperfection.

You rescued me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into your kingdom of matchless love through your forgiveness. I also appreciate your ongoing forgiveness. Without it, I would be lost in the perpetual maze of legalism, constantly trying to make things right with you on a daily basis, but never getting there.

As I enjoy you this morning, remind me of the immense price you paid to make this intimate communion possible. Increase my awareness of the remarkable privilege of relationship with you. Astonish me with the perfect gift of your presence!

I love you,

Mollie

My child,

I want you to enjoy the unrivaled beauty of knowing me. There were serious costs involved in providing you this opportunity. I don’t want you to take it for granted.

I am endlessly glorious. I am perfect peace, justice, goodness, love, faithfulness and joy. You will never find the finish line of my perfection.

Every day you can explore the next magnificent vista of my presence. Sometimes the view may seem too intense, and you may be tempted to look away. But I encourage you not to cover your eyes. Keep your gaze fixed on me.

I paid the ultimate price so that you might have the opportunity to witness who I am and what I do – forever! Through subjecting myself to the brokenness and depravity of my creation, I made the perfect way for my infinite justice and mercy to come into flawless unity.

My grace does not cause me to look the other way when you sin. It does not mean I am blind to wrongdoing. I am not the permissive parent who simply does not acknowledge the deplorable behavior of his children.

I don’t stand by with justice tucked conveniently in my back pocket as my petulant offspring attempt to destroy what is most precious to me. I hate what is wrong. But I love you.

My unmerited favor toward you just means that you do not have to earn my approval. When you trusted in Christ and his sacrifice for your sin, you were relieved of the debt for your sin. You were forgiven, not excused.

You owed an infinite debt that could only be satisfied with an infinite repayment. You could never make ample restitution.  That is my job.

Your sin plus my sacrifice equals perfect justice and mercy. It is not your merit. It is mine. My merit. My approval. I gained the ground for you that you could never gain for yourself.

Lay those excuses down. Enjoy my lavish gift of forgiveness today with a grateful heart!

I love you,

Abba

photo:g.andrushko

NIV