| I’ve got an idea for a fun game we can all play while we’re stuck at home: Go to this Facebook group and compete for who’s done the worst stuff, who’s done bad stuff the most times and who’s felt the most regret for the former two categories.
Of course, Paul gets automatic first place. He said a long time ago, “This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them.” Have you recently felt the saving warmth and relief of God’s forgiveness? Maybe it came through a spouse or close friend. Maybe it came straight from Heaven in the strong arm of God wrapped tight around the shoulder of your soul. One of the dear gifts of our faith is calm assurance that the things we’ve screwed up, however gloriously, are no longer held against us. We are not responsible to pay off with good deeds what we failed to do right in the first place. What a relief. But what if you don’t feel that relief? It’s not always automatic, is it? If you struggle to feel forgiven, you may have a sense of what many Muslims face during this fasting month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time for increased prayer, repentance and seeking forgiveness. The Quran says, “Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.’” (Surah Zumar: 53) Even so many Muslims don’t feel forgiven and fear their final standing before God. Please pray with me for the next three weeks of Ramadan that Muslims all over will find assurance of God’s forgiveness through the work of Jesus. Download this one-page prayer guide or find amazing videos and prayer direction at PrayerCast. |