Devotionals for March 12, 2024
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READ
"God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’”
REFLECT
“That doesn’t count!” How often do we hear little children say something like this when they make a mistake in a game or contest? It speaks to our heart’s desire when we know we haven’t measured up - please don’t count that against me. Does it sound too good to be true that God might not count our mistakes against us? And yet that’s exactly what Paul declares - God no longer counts your sins against you. How can he do that and still be just? Because he counted your sins against Jesus instead, and the punishment for each and every one of them, even the ones that you haven’t committed yet, was paid for on the cross. And now, as someone who is restored to God, he calls you to go and share this amazing story with others.
APPLY
Q: What does it mean to be reconciled to God?
Q: Is there a mistake that you have committed that you can’t seem to stop counting against yourself? Does it help you to know that God no longer counts it against you?
Q: Is there someone in your life that seems worn out or heavy laden by their own bad choices? What would it mean to them to hear the news that in Christ, God no longer counts their sins against them?
Q: Is there a mistake that you have committed that you can’t seem to stop counting against yourself? Does it help you to know that God no longer counts it against you?
Q: Is there someone in your life that seems worn out or heavy laden by their own bad choices? What would it mean to them to hear the news that in Christ, God no longer counts their sins against them?
SING
“Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Lord, give me the grace to forgive myself for the sins that you no longer count against me. Give me courage to share this beautiful truth with one person in my life - that you offer to no longer count their sins against them if they belong to Christ. Give me the courage to invite them to accept you as I have.
Lord, give me the grace to forgive myself for the sins that you no longer count against me. Give me courage to share this beautiful truth with one person in my life - that you offer to no longer count their sins against them if they belong to Christ. Give me the courage to invite them to accept you as I have.