It’s interesting to me that those things we desire are almost always bright, shiny and new (unless of course you’re into antiques like me). God specializes in those individuals that have had the luster worn off. He takes the two-wheel trike and makes it like new. He knocks the rust off and makes it shine again. He mends the broken wheel so it becomes whole again. He takes those things the world casts off and restores its value. No matter who you are, where you’ve been, what you’ve done or who you’ve done it to, God loves you as if you were sinless, because once forgiven you are. You’ve been given a mulligan, a do over, a second chance.
When the disciples asked Jesus how many times they were to forgive, offering the suggestion of forgiving someone 7x, Christ said “No, 7 x 70 times.” [Matthew 18:21-22] The Rabbis of the day taught the people to forgive 3x, so I suppose Peter thought he was being generous by suggesting 7x. Jesus use of 7x70 is symbolic of how we are not to even bother keeping track of the number of times we forgive someone. As long as the individual is truly repentant, we are to forgive as often as they ask. This gives us a real solid example of how God forgives. He keeps no record of wrongs [1 Corinthians 13:5].
We are broken; each and every one of us. If you don’t believe that you are only kidding yourself. Scripture is very clear … “we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory”[Romans 3:23]. We are sinners saved by the undeserved favor of God. We are blessed. Why? Because even though God doesn’t need any one of us to accomplish his purposes, he has chosen to use us. We’ve gone from the refuse pile of life (in the world’s estimation) to being an ambassador to the King of Kings.
Think about all the Kings this world has seen come and go; some good, godly men, some wicked, ungodly men. Almighty God is the King over all the Kings that ever existed. No one is like our God. He is subservient to no one. He needs no one’s permission to do what he does. He has more power than 100 atom bombs or even a 1,000. There is nothing he cannot do and nothing he will not do for his children, of which I am one (and if you are redeemed, you are too).
You are no longer broken, so stop thinking you are. You are no longer flawed. The enemy wants you to think you are worthless because you continue to struggle with sin, but God defeated Satan and we are the beneficiaries of that victory. Rebuke the devil and all his demons in the mighty name of Jesus Christ and move forward. You are of tremendous value to God. Believe it and live like it. It has nothing to do with what you’ve said or done. Christ is the salve on your wounded, bleeding heart. God loves you and will never stop loving you no matter what ANYONE else thinks or says. Lift up your head. Look heavenward for your redemption draws near. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
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