Christian Living

LET US NOT FORGET

by paul hoffmaster
11/19/17
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We sing and talk about Jesus and our unfailing love for Him, but it seems it is more a “tell” than a show.  We seem to take His forgiveness for granted.  We know through our confession and acceptance of God’s Grace that we are saved by way of the Cross and Jesus Resurrection.  All our sins and mistakes have been removed and placed in God’s “forgetfulness.”  Believers profess an understanding of salvation, but it would take a Sherlock Holmes to find the evidence of such a confession.  Many Believers are guilty of allowing their spiritual gratitude to wane into a simple fact of life.  Saturday or Sunday church attendance has become a fulfillment to “time tithing.”  We faithfully give God 1.6% (Figured on a 16 hour average awake time.) of our Sunday routine and then use the rest of the day to pursue our predetermined priorities.  Sunday has become just like any other day.  The spiritual pep rally is usually followed by activities that we failed to complete during the week.

 Sunday morning worship services seem to be more in line with mandatory attendance than with a personal desire.  It is wonderful to experience corporate praise and worship, but we need to ask ourselves what is our motive.  So much of our actions are around the tangibles of life, such as materialistic and physical acquisitions.  I enjoy the different aspects of worship, but my concern is the lack of reflecting on the forgiveness that God has granted us through His Son.  When is the last time Believers have spent time focusing on God’s Grace?

 The Scriptures tell us of a woman whose life was filled with sin who one day encountered Jesus, and her life changed forever. (Luke 7:36-50)  Shortly after that experience she heard that Jesus was at a Pharisee’s house for dinner.  Some how this forgiven woman was able to gain entry into the house.  Finding Jesus reclining at the dinner table, she came up behind Him and, with tears flowing down her face, began to wash His feet with her tears.  She dried them with her hair and then kissed His feet and anointed them with ointment.  She said nothing, but her actions spoke volumes.  Jesus explained to the questioning Pharisee that because of the forgiveness He had granted her, she was expressing her endless thankfulness to Him. Jesus turned to her and reiterated, “Your sins are forgiven,” and “Your faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36-50)

 When is the last time we fell to our knees with grateful hearts expressing our love to our loving Savior?  Let us open our memory banks and recall His forgiving words to us.  Our forgiveness should overshadow all the benefits that we have experienced in our life.  Let us never memorialize our salvation as a past experience; rather, let us be a living expression of His Grace and forgiveness.  Amen and Amen