three true facts of forgiveness…

i heard about this little boy in washington d. c. who went up to a park ranger and said, “i want to buy the washington monument.”  the park ranger thought he’d have a little fun and said, “how much have you got?”  the little boy pulls out a dollar and eight-seven cents.  the ranger said, “son, let me say three things.  number one, it’s not for sale.  number two, even if it was for sale you couldn’t afford it.  it’s too expensive.  and number three, if you are an american citizen it already belongs to you.”

those same three facts are true of forgiveness in the life of a CHRISTian.  if you are already a CHRISTian, number one, you couldn’t buy forgiveness from GOD.  and even if you could, you couldn’t pay the price for it.  it’s too expensive.  but if you’re believer, you’re in GOD’s family, it’s already yours.  it’s part of grace.  forgiveness is your greatest need because you’re imperfect.  and it’s also GOD’s greatest gift.  HIS healing gift of grace is the greatest thing GOD gives you. 

how do you get that kind of healing grace?  it’s really pretty simple.  as simple as a, b, c.  admit, believe, commit.  if you want to have every sin forgiven in your life, here it is a,b,c – admit, believe, commit. 

a – admit

i admit i’ve blown it.  i admit i’ve sinned.  i admit GOD is right and i am wrong.  i admit that there have been many times in my life i’ve been god.  i’ve done what i wanted to do.  i didn’t check in with GOD and ask, “what do YOU want me to do?  what have you put me on this planet for?”  i did what i wanted to do.  i just agree with GOD.  i quit trying to make excuses, blame other people, etc. etc.  i just admit it.

b – believe

i believe that GOD wants to forgive me.  that HE wants to forgive me freely and instantly and repeatedly.  i believe in HIS grace.  i believe that JESUS CHRIST died for my sins so that i wouldn’t have to pay for them.  HE paid for them.  i believe that. 

c – commit

i commit my life to GOD.  i commit my sins to HIM.  i commit myself to JESUS CHRIST and say, “GOD, YOU take charge.  i haven’t done a real good job with my life so far so YOU be in charge.  YOU be number one.  YOU call the shots.  YOU be the manager.  YOU drive the car.”  and i commit it to HIM. 

what happens if you do that?  you’ll receive forgiveness. 

just a thought from the front porch…