Listen

The Holy Spirit affirms this when saying,

This is the covenant that I will make with them. After these days, says the Lord, I will place my laws in their hearts and write them on their minds. And I won’t remember their sins and their lawless behavior anymore.

When there is forgiveness for these things, there is no longer an offering for sin.

Hebrews 10:15-18

Think

When I was just starting my family, I made an impulsive decision. I had taken up the guitar and spent hours playing daily. My wife was always understanding and generally encouraging. On an errand one day, I stopped at the local music store to browse. In no time, I was walking out of the door with a new banjo. I really didn’t have the money to buy it but did so anyway. On the ride home, I knew I’d made a big mistake.

As I drove in my driveway, my wife happily met me in the yard. With a frightened expression, I shared what I had done and prepared for the worst. To my utter surprise, she was kind and offered grace. I was forgiven.

Salvation results in the writing of a new covenant on our hearts and in our minds – we are forgiven, and our sins are forgotten. This seems too good to be true. But it is true. It’s God’s grace – unmerited favor. Let God’s grace motivate you today. You are loved this much by God!

Bill Ogletree

Pray

God, it is hard to understand how you can love me. Show me your grace today and help me to share it with others. Amen.

Go

Stay focused on Jesus, and work to play your position with boldness.

Consider the words of Trappist monk and theologian Thomas Merton:

“My Lord God […] I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.”