Forgiven in Christ
by Chelsea Pietsch
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Whoever comes to me I will never cast out (John 6:37b).
Read John 6:27–40
Our God is gracious and forgiving. His arms are perpetually outstretched for the repentant – for those who, like the prodigal son, return to him. Of course, God does not want us to sin, but Scripture tells us that if we do sin, those who repent will not be condemned on account of what Christ has done. Thanks be to God for his love and unfailing mercy.
As we come to Jesus, look to him and believe in him, he promises not to forget us but give us life. This is such a comfort! For despite our desire to live holy lives, as Christ has made us holy, we perpetually fall short of the lives we are called to live. As St Paul says: ‘For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate’ (Romans 7:15). And yet, Christ forgives. His grace is made perfect in weakness.
Christ wants us to also model his life of forgiveness to others. He exhorts us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. Not just seven times but seventy times seven. In other words, always. It almost seems that our being forgiven is conditional on us forgiving others. We must forgive, no matter the cost!
The cost of forgiveness can be enormous. Jesus knows this intimately. Forgiving our sins meant humiliation and a torturous death for him. It meant being separated from the Father he loved, experiencing the anguish of abandonment, and descending into hell. It meant his innocence and glory being unrecognised by the world.
And yet Jesus still says to us – including those who come to him at the eleventh hour, like the thief on the cross– ‘whoever comes to me I will not cast out’. Let us trust in this promise and live joyfully, without despair, feeding on the bread of God that comes from heaven.
Oh, Lord, don’t cast us out. Have mercy on us, save us and make us right with you. Amen.
Chelsea Pietsch is a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. She is married with two children and a consultant to Lutherans for Life (www.lutheransforlife.staging.lca.org.au).
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