Forgiveness
March 24, 2004

The other day I read a bumper sticker here at Camp Pendleton. The car obviously belonged to a Marine.

I say it obviously belonged to a Marine because it read, "To err is human. To forgive is divine. Neither of which is Marine Corps policy." I chuckled when I read this because it is so typical of Marines.

On the subject of forgiveness, I never cease to be amazed at the forgiveness of God. Perhaps this was brought home again after watching Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." It is not my intention to belabor the analysis of the movie. However, to sit through this film and not be moved by the love and compassion of Jesus is to miss the point all together. He endured the abuse, the beatings, the insults, the scourging, and the crucifixion so that you and I could be reconciled to God the Father through God the Son.

I read an interesting account of an encounter that took place between Evangelist Billy Graham and the director of a mental institution. The director said to Dr. Graham, "I could release half my patients today if they only knew they were forgiven." I was particularly struck by this because over the years I have seen people who struggle under the enormous load of sin and guilt yet refuse to accept the grace and forgiveness of God -- so adequately and thoroughly provided by Jesus on the cross.

I liken this unforgiven condition that many find themselves in to a person cast into the turbulent sea without any means of rescue. As they futilely thrash about, hopelessly waiting for someone to pluck them from the waves, a life ring is cast to them from out of nowhere. Most reasonable people would grab onto the ring and hang on for dear life. They could care less where the life ring came from. At the very least, they would survive holding to the ring until they could be brought on board a boat and taken to shore. Amazingly, there are those who will not accept the life ring when tossed to them. They prefer to perish needlessly than to receive any assistance.

I have often shared with those we would classify as "senior citizens." Because they are in the twilight of their lives, it is often assumed that they would be the most serious about making sure their relationship with God is right. It's been described as "cramming for your finals." Sadly, this isn't the case. I can't tell you how many times I've shared Christ with an elderly person only to have them tell me, "I didn't need Jesus before, so I don't need him now. Besides, it would be hypocritical to ask him to save me now when I have lived the rest of my life without him."

How this must break God's heart! Forgiveness is at hand, yet it is turned down.

I was sharing with a Marine during a counseling session recently. I presented the importance of surrendering his life to Christ and experiencing the forgiveness that is offered through the blood of Jesus. He wasn't willing to do this. So I stressed that eternity was forever. To be separated from God is a forever condition. "I'll chance it," he said.

Another man I witnessed to said that after he died he'd simply sit down with God and explain to him that he didn't understand everything about being forgiven.

There's no "explaining" involved. There's no "chance" involved. We are offered the opportunity to be forgiven here and now, not later. The Scriptures say that, "Today is the day of salvation. Now is the acceptable time."

Jesus died so you could be forgiven. Are you?