Sunday, March 10, 2002
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Sunday, March 10, 2002 |
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As Easter approaches, we are mindful of God's forgiveness By DR. DAVID L.
CHANCERY A seminary professor had a practical way of illustrating the biblical concept of God's grace and forgiveness. At the end of his course he would hand out the final exam with strict instructions to read it all the way through before beginning. As the class members read through the exam, it became clear that students had not studied nearly enough. It was an impossible test. The further they read, the worse it became. On the last page, however, was a note that read, "you have a choice. You can either complete the exam as given or sign your name at the bottom of the page and in doing so receive an 'A' for this assignment." What? Get an "A" for just signing it? The point then dawned on the stunned students, and one by one they turned in their papers and filed out of the room with a new appreciation that forgiveness cannot be earned. The creative professor later shared with the students some of the reactions he had received through the years as he had given the same exam. There were always some who did not follow instructions and began to take the exam without reading it all the way through. Some would sweat it out for the entire two hours before reaching the last page. They suffered unnecessary anxiety. Then there were those who would read the first two pages, become angry, turn in their paper blank and unfinished and storm out of the room. They never realized what was available and lost out totally. Then there was the student who read the entire test, including the note at the end, but decided to take the exam anyway. He didn't want any gifts, he wanted to earn his grade. He made a C+, but could have easily received the free "A." This story vividly illustrates many people's reaction to God's solution to sin. Many spend their entire lives trying to earn what they discover later is freely offered to them. Others look at God's high ethical and moral standards and say, "why even try?" Then there are those who are simply unwilling to receive God's gift of forgiveness. They strike out on their own, trying to get points from God for their good works. They do not understand that salvation is a free gift. The Bible says forgiveness is available to all. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). But forgiveness is not automatic. Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:21). The only way to receive forgiveness is through receiving Jesus Christ into our lives. Jesus was God's solution to the world's sin that separated man and God. Jesus was sacrificed on the cross in order that we can experience God's gift of forgiveness and so we can have eternal life. We have to accept this free gift by placing our trust in Jesus and inviting Him to come into our lives, asking Him to forgive us. As we move into the Easter observance, we reflect on the significance of the cross. Jesus died for us. He paid the price for our sinfulness. He arose from the grave as He conquered sin and death. And He lives forever. Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor of McDonough Road Baptist Church in Fayetteville. The church family invites you to join them this Sunday for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m.
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