the blessing of forgiveness

Aivazovsky, "The Ninth Wave"

Fourth Sunday in Lent
Psalm 32

"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven." Think about it: this is true.

Our contemporary world is vexed with tremendous confusion over what constitutes ultimate reality. If the secular humanists are right we are products of an evolution of continuous improvement capable of creating and fulfilling our own purpose. If the radical Muslims are right we are infidels in need of submission. If however the Christians are right we are beings both "majestically created and fatally flawed" (as Francis Schaeffer often said).

The path to salvation is not the self-fulfillment of secular humanism, nor the submission of radical Islam, but something at once much simpler and far more profound: forgiveness. Blessed indeed is he whose transgressions are forgiven.

Is this a blessing you have already claimed? Then rest in it, rejoice, and walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received. If not, this offer is so near to you that all you need do is call out, saying, "Lord, forgive me." Your heavenly Father would like nothing better than to honor your request.