LBW #415, "God of Grace and God of Glory"
Devotion
Confession and forgiveness is all about allowing our pride to be bent and our wanton, selfish gladness to be shamed. Can we allow ourselves to be that vulnerable?
Recently we have encountered Peter, "the rock" upon which Christ shall build his church. But though Peter knew Jesus as “The messiah, the son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16) did he know what that meant? Did he know the vulnerability he would have to experience?
Our wanton, selfish culture is rich in things and poor in soul. Many of us claim to know and follow Jesus to the point of forgiving seven times. With self-satisfaction in my heart and a Bible in my hand, I climb into my Christian symbol-bearing SUV and back out of my three-car garage, confusing my Christian faith and my capitalist values.
Thank God, Christ offers ten-fold forgiveness and we will see the light and seek the courage to live a vulnerable life, lest we miss the Kingdom's goal.
Prayer
Forgiving God, humble us. Tear down our pride in order that we may see the true treasures of life. Give us the strength to forgive and the courage to be forgiven. Amen.