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Archive for the ‘Forgiveness’ Category

>Not Excused but Cleansed

Posted in Forgiveness, tagged on October 21, 2010| Leave a Comment »

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“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” – David (Psalm 51:7)

David sinned, a man died, and a woman lost her baby.

His request for forgiveness reflects something we sometimes forget – God doesn’t offer excuse but cleansing.

“Hyssop” is a small bush with a very specific use in the David’s day. It was used to sprinkle blood for cleansing. First used at the passover to put lamb’s blood on the door post, it continued to be used for sprinkling blood on lepers, various instruments for God’s service, and people – all with the idea of cleaning.

David wasn’t asking to be excused for his actions but to be cleansed.

Jesus is our sacrifice. Like the passover lamb, his blood is figuratively sprinkled on our lives to save us from eternal death and to cleanse us from our sins.

God offers not to excuse but to cleanse.

– fritz

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>Releasing from Animosity

Posted in Forgiveness, tagged on September 14, 2010| Leave a Comment »

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“[D]eliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword” – Psalm 17:13b

There are wicked people in this world over which we have little control – people who would do us harm if they could, and sometimes do.

But the Psalmist makes an important declaration by calling them God’s sword.

Terrorists, self serving politicians, conspirators, even bosses from the place it doesn’t snow, are not in control of God’s people, God is!

This means I don’t have to be afraid of them. I can pray, help those whose job it is to protect us, and trust God. Jesus said,

“I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.” – Luke 12:4

This also means they are not mine to judge, hate, or wish them harm.

I think this is how Elizabeth Elliott was able to return and share Christ to the very jungle villages of those who killed her husband.

When we see Christ in control of our lives, and are surrendered to his purposes, animosity ebbs away.

– fritz

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Example of hope

Posted in Forgiveness, Hope, tagged on August 26, 2010| Leave a Comment »

“Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah” Genesis 25:8-9

I am encouraged that after being rivals, and though their people groups are still are at odds, Isaac and Ishmael matured enough to put away their differences and work together.

There is hope.

– fritz

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