Galatians 1:3-5
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father—to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Looking deep into my heart, I realize the darkness of my sin; there is nothing I can do that would ever undo my actions, words, or thoughts. So that on my own, once sin is there, I can do nothing to undo it. What I deserve is your eternal punishment for each of my sins. Then you add the evilness of the world coming at me with all its temptations and lures; I need you.
However, you already knew that, so you sent the world your Son to pay the world’s penalty for sin. Which means Jesus paid for my sins. He suffered the cross to rescue me from this wicked age and myself. All this was your will to save me from my iniquities.
As I look at myself in the mirror, I know I do not deserve your love or forgiveness, but that is the definition of your grace. You loved the world in this way: so that you sent your Son, so whoever believes in him would have eternal life. Moreover, you bless us with your mercy, not punishing us as we deserve and giving us forgiveness and salvation we do not deserve. These gifts you bring to me in faith, trusting Jesus died for me on the cross and removed my every sin. In his forgiveness, I have peace because I am reunited and restored to you. It was my sin that separated me from you, and Jesus has removed it by his holy life and innocent death, and there I have peace, and this is your will for me. Thank you for loving me; even when I don’t deserve it, you restored me. So please give me the courage to share my hope of forgiveness with others who do not know you so that they, too, can have the peace that only you can give them. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Jesus died to rescue us from everything happening around us and from the sins in ourselves. Through faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit delivers to you the peace of forgiveness that restores you to God’s goodwill, grace, and mercy.