ACCEPT GOD’S FORGIVENESS

There’s something really beautiful about taking something old which is seemingly worth little to no value and completely restoring it into something brand new. Today we see antiques like cars, furniture, art, jewelry, homes, and more go through a restoration process to be returned to the original state in which they were made. Often times, the finished product is even greater than the original! An item covered in dirt and rust, bumps and bruises, scratches and gashes is made perfect by its curator with no further sign of damage done or trace of past misuse. 

The Great Restorer, Jesus, does the exact same thing with both you and me. He sees us in our absolute worst condition and chooses us for our true value, labeling us as treasure. God does all the work Himself of finding us in our mess and saving us. He slathers us in His grace and mercy—making us brand new and better than ever! We find ourselves redeemed to His original design and intent for our lives. Every mistake, wrong decision, and failure that marked our previous state of damage is totally forgotten and nowhere to be found. Restoration station. FORGIVEN. We are absolutely free from our past and the sin that used to mark us. Made perfect and whole by a Savior who bought us and gave us a new worth. The shame and guilt that we used to wear are erased and washed away! So much so that God casts them away as far as the east is from the west! And in this new life, we choose to leave the old behind and begin a hope-filled future. Found and wholly forgiven. 

Totally forgiven by God, we now have the power to forgive others! Rather than living with unforgiveness in our hearts, we are made to extend the grace that was so freely given to us by showing it to the people in our lives. 

Who might you need to forgive today? 

Write a letter, make a phone call, or send that text. 

When we forgive, we find freedom!