Just like HIM…

Romans 3:23-24 (NLT), "All have sinned…Yet now GOD in HIS gracious kindness declares us not guilty.  HE has done this through JESUS CHRIST, who has freed us by taking away our sins"

GOD, because HE's kind, wipes out your record.  HE wipes the slate clean.  There is no condemnation if you put your faith in CHRIST.  That's good news!  Even if there were no heaven it would be worth it just having a clear conscience to receive GOD's forgiveness.

Ephesians 1:4, Living Bible, "Through what CHRIST would do for us, GOD decided to make us holy in HIS eyes, without a single fault, we stand before HIM covered with HIS love." 

We stand before GOD without fault, covered with HIS love.  Why?  Because of HIS kindness.  HE is a kind GOD.  The Bible teaches that before GOD even made you HE knew every evil thing you do, think or say and HE still made you and HE still loves you.  Before you were even born, GOD knew every evil, wicked, mean, bad and nasty thing you do.  HE still made you and HE still loves you.  That's the kindness of GOD. 

What does that have to say about how I'm supposed to treat other people?  GOD says, "Whatever I do to you, you're to do to others."  Ephesians 4:32 (LB), "Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as GOD has forgiven you because you belong to CHRIST." 

How do I be kind like CHRIST?  Forgive other people.  By not rubbing it in but rubbing it out. 

How do you do on forgiveness?  Do you find it easy to forgive or tough to forgive?  Do you do it quickly or do you do it slowly?  Do you let it go or do you just hold on to it? 

If you have a tough time being forgiving it's because you don't feel forgiven.  Graced people are gracious people.  People who have received GOD's mercy are able to be merciful to others.  People who understand how much they've been forgiven find it easy to forgive others. 

Anytime I start having a difficult time forgiving somebody all I have to do is stop and remember I will never have to forgive another person more than what GOD has already forgiven me.  And it helps me be forgiving.  So just like CHRIST I'm to forgive others, to let it go, rub it out rather than rub it in.

Just a thought from the front porch…