Forgiving Challenge: The 11-Day Life-Changing Journey to FreedomSample

Day 1- Introduction

"What's your story?"

Have you ever asked someone that? Have you ever had to answer that question? In nearly every story you will ever hear, one common thread is that everyone has scars. A friend of ours who attended the Boston Marathon Bombing has scars that almost everyone can see. Her amputated leg tells the story of a tragic event she overcame.

A scar on the bottom of my chin reminds me of my car accident on July 31, 2001. Not only did I escape death, but this scar serves as a continual reminder of the second chance God gave me. That night I got on my knees, and I recommitted whatever life I had left to serve God.

Scars can tell powerful stories.

On the surface, scars seem to be a defect. But God made scars. He created human skin with the ability to heal, but the healing often leaves a scar. Did you know that even the resurrected body of Jesus featured scars on His hands?

The scars of Jesus tell a story of an innocent man who died a brutal death for guilty sinners. Yet, this innocent man was also fully God. Through His death and resurrection, guilty sinners receive a gift of grace. God's grace forever marks sinners as saints.

The problem is that far too many Christians still carry personal wounds without dealing with them appropriately. Some of our deepest wounds that need to be healed are past sins, hurts, or mistakes that we've caused. And to truly experience freedom in this world, we must genuinely receive God's forgiveness. The amazing news: God doesn't withhold His forgiveness from you. He gives it to you fully and wholly. Knowing God has indeed forgiven you is the first step in your journey of forgiveness.

Over the next ten days, we are going to look at the Five Phases of Freedom using the SCARS acronym:

S - Sin

C - Confession

A - Absolution

R - Restoration

S - Sanctification

The most significant impression on humanity remains the scars of Jesus. His forgiveness leaves a more significant impact on the world than any of your sins. But, will you truly receive the forgiveness that Jesus has won for you?

Challenge: Invite at least one other person to join you in these next ten days. Perhaps you will text each other daily, or you will commit to writing in each of the "Talk it over" sections of each daily reading.