The Reason for Forgiveness

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We know that forgiveness is fundamental to God’s character. But why does He forgive us? What is it that possesses Him to do such a thing? As we continue our series, The Beauty of Forgiveness, this is the next thing we are going to explore together. It is a wonder that God is willing to forgive us in spite of the extent and nature of our rebellion. Yet He does it anyway. Through the lens of something Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 43, let’s take a look at why.

The Reason for Forgiveness

In the world of politics, when someone gives you a lot of money, it’s almost always because they expect something from you. It is a long established tradition that megadoners to the winning presidential candidate get nominated to be the ambassador to some island nation where they’ll get to enjoy island life for four years, living in a luxurious place, and attending fun events mostly on the taxpayer’s dime. In the world of business, if someone gives you a lot of money, it’s typically because they want something from you. They want you to support this or that venture. They are looking for regulatory help. They are looking for an ally in some coming fight. Something. Big and extravagant gifts rarely come without any strings attached.

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Mother and daughter reading The Great Adventure Book with illustrated scenes above

The Big Picture of the Bible

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I’m hopefully planning to write a review of the latest Marvel series, Visionquest, next week. This week has been all over the place for me. So, I’m going to share another blast from the past today. This is the first of a four-part series I preached several years ago looking at the story of the Scriptures from 30,000 feet. We often dive deeply into the nitty-gritty details of the Scriptures in sermon and Bible studies, but in doing that, we sometimes forget that the Scriptures really are all one cohesive story that points to Jesus. This series was all about making sure we have that in mind whenever we go to them to receive what God’s Spirit has to share. Enjoy!

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Mother gently comforting a young boy seated beside her in a living room

Disciplining for Life

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“Disaster pursues sinners, but good rewards the righteous. A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous. The uncultivated field of the poor yields abundant food, but without justice, it is swept away. The one who will not use the rod hates his son, but the one who loves him disciplines him diligently. A righteous person eats until he is satisfied, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.” (Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭21‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

Disciplining kids is tough. As a parent, you always wonder whether you are doing right. Were you tough enough to match the misdeed? Too tough? What exactly is an effective punishment or even merely a consequence in light of what they did? Is that even the right way to think about it. Of course, this is all much easier when it comes to other people’s kids. Then you always know with perfect clarity and discernment what they should have done. It’s just with your own kids that it becomes challenging for some reason. But what is clear is that you have to do it. Not disciplining them at all isn’t an option if you want them to turn out even remotely well. Solomon agrees. Let’s talk about this and a few other matters as we finish up chapter 13 today.

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Group of young adults standing on a park path beside graffiti and litter

Good Friends Matter

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“A wicked envoy falls into trouble, but a trustworthy courier brings healing. Poverty and disgrace come to those who ignore discipline, but the one who accepts correction will be honored. Desire fulfilled is sweet to the taste, but to turn from evil is detestable to fools. The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭17‬-‭20‬ ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

One of the best observations about friendship I’ve ever heard was the big idea of a sermon: Your friends will determine the direction and quality of your life. That, as they say, will preach. The people we choose to surround ourselves with will unavoidably have an impact on our lives. And there’s a difference between people who are simply around us and people we allow to have access to our lives. It is the ones to whom we give access who will have the greatest impact. These people we need to choose carefully. Solomon agrees. Let’s talk about it.

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Two women talking in a cozy study beside bookshelves and coffee

Seeking Good Advice

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“Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous never changes. Every sensible person acts knowledgeably, but a fool displays his stupidity.” (Proverbs‬ ‭13‬:‭15‬-‭16 ‭CSB‬‬ – Read the chapter)

Men are famously bad about asking for directions. It’s a common enough flaw in our programing that it has become its own trope. And when we don’t ask for directions, while we sometimes get where we intend to go, we more likely wind up somewhere we don’t want to be. I remember arriving back at the airport coming home from a long trip late one night with the whole family in tow. We got to the satellite lot to get the car, but I hadn’t written down our stop and got us off at the wrong one…on the complete opposite side of the lot. We had to wait for another bus to come by, dealing our arrival at home by a lot. I still rightly pay for that one. It’s always better to seek counsel than look foolish. Solomon agrees. Let’s talk about it.

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