Forgiveness.

It’s a big deal.

But have you ever thought about WHY God offers forgiveness?

Yes, it’s because of his incredible and unceasing love for you, and because of his desire for you to have peace and joy with him in the great ever-after.

But there is also an implication for THIS life.

Psalm 130:4 says, “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”

Knowing that you’ve been forgiven by God isn’t just so you can saunter around feeling fancy-free and posting weird pics on Instagram. (Although that is certainly fun to do from time to time.)

One the reasons is so that you can, with reverence, serve God. The weight of guilt, sin and fear is lifted off the back of weary travelers like you and me so that we can be the hands and feet of Christ more fully and freely.

The previous verse says, “If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?” The answer is no one! That’s why I’m so incredibly thankful for God’s forgiveness.

Are you?

“with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”

The weight of guilt, sin and fear is lifted off the back of weary travelers like you and me so that we can be the hands and feet of Christ more fully and freely.

We have been liberated to serve.

So serve.

By Matthew Ruttan

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.