Forgiven and Changed
Saturday’s Verse:
From 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
We continue our devotional theme, “The Greatest Mystery: Uncovering Forgiveness.” Today, our theme is looking at how others’ lives changed when they were forgiven.
Forgiveness can sometimes seem like such an internal thing. You hear a word. You feel better. You walk away unchanged except lighter in burden.
Scripture doesn’t often work like that.
Forgiveness never left Peter unchanged after he denied Jesus three times and cried. In love, Christ forgave Peter after his resurrection and restored him. Peter, who once feared following Jesus, boldly announced Christ’s name.
Forgiveness didn’t leave that woman broken after she was caught in adultery. Jesus told her that He forgave her and to go sin no more.
God forgives us in the same way. It is not because we earned it or deserved it. We do not work off forgiveness by making better choices or becoming better people. But it is a gift given to us because of Christ. And when we really understand that we are forgiven, it changes us. We don’t have to live in shame or fear. We don’t have to justify ourselves. We are free to live life in a new way.
We are sinners. And saints. Still wrestling with our sin, but made new all the same.
Forgiveness doesn’t stop our story. It continues it.
If you ever doubt the transformative power of forgiveness, look at the life it creates. And remember that you have been forgiven, too.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Father in heaven, continue to open my heart to understand Your love for me in that You sent Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to pay my sin debt and thus forgive me of my many sins. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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