The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / THE FRUIT OF FORGIVENESS

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 151 of 365 THE FRUIT OF FORGIVENESS First Chronicles 20:1 - 3 differs from its companion passage in 2 Samuel 11. This account, written after the exile, omits mention of David's sin with Bathsheba, the low point of his life. This omission provides a beautiful illustration of full forgiveness through Jesus Christ. While sin always has consequences, God's grace ensures his people are not permanently marked by the worst days of their lives or the worst thing they have done. In Christ, the guilt of sin is not simply waved off or disregarded. Jesus purchased forgiveness on the cross. Redemption and pardon are never free - they are bought with the precious blood of Christ and then offered to men and women as gifts of grace (Eph 1:7). One of the great benefits of salvation through Jesus is that his people become new creations in him - the old life disappears and a new one begins (2Co 5:17). The stains from old sins and the regrets from ungodly choices - marks of disgrace on the lives of those adopted into his family - are erased forever, thanks to Christ's work on the cross (Isa 1:18). Jesus, I thank you for purchasing my forgiveness. Thank you for making me a new creation, one free of shame and disgrace. Amen. 1 Chronicles 20:1-3 NASB 1 Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that Joab led out the army and ravaged the land of the sons of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. And Joab struck Rabbah and overthrew it. 2 David took the crown of their king from his head, and he found it to weigh a talent of gold, and there was a precious stone in it; and it was placed on David's head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 3 He brought out the people who were in it, and cut them with saws and with sharp instruments and with axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the sons of Ammon. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem. Ephesians 1:7 NASB 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace Isaiah 1:18 NASB 18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the L ord , "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.