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David Scudder
DaveBethel at gmail dot com Sr. Pastor of Bethel Chapel Church
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It amazes me that everyone doesn’t want forgiveness of sin, but I have met many people who do not. Why is that? Even though King David shows us in Psalm 51 that when we ask for forgiveness God’s way, we are forgiven. Period! At that point God declares that our sins are washed away and forever gone. Who wouldn’t want that? Even thought the Bible tells us that when God forgives us, He removes our sin “As far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). If that’s true, then who wouldn’t want God’s forgiveness? It’s free, forever, and complete.
Keep reading in Psalm 51 to see why some people reject God and His forgiveness. Even though God’s forgiveness is freely offered, it comes as a package deal. When God forgives us, He also changes us. Too many in our world don't want that change. They want to keep going their own way. They don't want God to change the direction and focus of their lives. Many years ago Wilber Reese wrote a poem called “Three Dollars Worth of God.” He uses some sarcasm to make his point.
I would like to buy 3 dollars worth of God, please
Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,
But just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine.
I don't want enough of Him to make me love [someone of a different color] or pick beets with a migrant.
I want ecstasy, not transformation.
I want the warmth of the womb not a new birth.
I want about a pound of the eternal in a paper sack.
I'd like to buy 3 dollars worth of God, please.
The truth is that God will never give us just a little bit of Himself. When you have an encounter with the almighty, holy, creator of the universe, it is transformational. Actually, though, that is good news. When God changes us on the inside, we begin to WANT what He wants. “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:4-5). In a sense then, a Christian does get to do what he wants to do. That’s because a Christian wants to please and follow the One who forgave all of his sin. Andrew Murray, a South African pastor in the 1800’s explained how God’s forgiveness changed him: “ May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love, and joy of God’s presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of myself as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love.”
Surrendering to God’s forgiveness is the beginning of great joy. As David put it, “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing” (Psalm 100:2). Charles Spurgeon said, “None but God can give back this joy; he can do it; we may ask it; he will do it for his own glory and our benefit. This joy comes not first, but follows pardon and purity….”
When you accept the package deal that comes with God’s forgiveness, then you will want to shout: “The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation” (2 Samuel 22:47). If you are interested in learning more about God’s forgiveness, I’d be glad to talk to you or send you some free information. You can leave a message for me at 215-533-4395 or write to me at DaveBethel@gmail.com.
Keep reading in Psalm 51 to see why some people reject God and His forgiveness. Even though God’s forgiveness is freely offered, it comes as a package deal. When God forgives us, He also changes us. Too many in our world don't want that change. They want to keep going their own way. They don't want God to change the direction and focus of their lives. Many years ago Wilber Reese wrote a poem called “Three Dollars Worth of God.” He uses some sarcasm to make his point.
I would like to buy 3 dollars worth of God, please
Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,
But just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine.
I don't want enough of Him to make me love [someone of a different color] or pick beets with a migrant.
I want ecstasy, not transformation.
I want the warmth of the womb not a new birth.
I want about a pound of the eternal in a paper sack.
I'd like to buy 3 dollars worth of God, please.
The truth is that God will never give us just a little bit of Himself. When you have an encounter with the almighty, holy, creator of the universe, it is transformational. Actually, though, that is good news. When God changes us on the inside, we begin to WANT what He wants. “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:4-5). In a sense then, a Christian does get to do what he wants to do. That’s because a Christian wants to please and follow the One who forgave all of his sin. Andrew Murray, a South African pastor in the 1800’s explained how God’s forgiveness changed him: “ May not a single moment of my life be spent outside the light, love, and joy of God’s presence and not a moment without the entire surrender of myself as a vessel for Him to fill full of His Spirit and His love.”
Surrendering to God’s forgiveness is the beginning of great joy. As David put it, “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing” (Psalm 100:2). Charles Spurgeon said, “None but God can give back this joy; he can do it; we may ask it; he will do it for his own glory and our benefit. This joy comes not first, but follows pardon and purity….”
When you accept the package deal that comes with God’s forgiveness, then you will want to shout: “The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation” (2 Samuel 22:47). If you are interested in learning more about God’s forgiveness, I’d be glad to talk to you or send you some free information. You can leave a message for me at 215-533-4395 or write to me at DaveBethel@gmail.com.
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