Granted, Yet Undeserved
Every day of our lives we are faced with choices, and every choice that we make has a consequence. Knowingly, we try to avoid making bad decisions as they can lead to unfavorable outcomes. However, there are times in which we are fully aware of the potential harm a decision can have on our lives yet still proceed with the action. I, for one, have been guilty of doing so, but it was God’s mercy that spared me and covered me in the midst of my wrong doing.
A recent experience reminded me of the love, compassion, and mercy that God shows towards us daily — sparing us from the punishment that our sins truly deserve…
About a week and a half ago, I was pulled over for speeding in a construction zone. When the officer arrived at my window, he proceeded to tell me that I was pulled over for exceeding the speed limit by 15mph. He followed up by asking, “How’s your record?” to which I replied, “It’s clean.” As he walked back to his car with my license, I prayed that I would get off with a warning since this was my very first offense.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get off that easy. The officer returned with a ticket in hand, instructed me to pay the fine within the time allotted, and asked if I had any questions. Although I had several questions, I was too overwhelmed with emotion and replied, “No sir, thank you.” As the officer returned to his car, my eyes filled with tears as I began to think of the potential consequences of receiving the ticket (i.e. points being added to my license and my insurance rate increasing — which would have been horrible since I’m already paying 3X as much for insurance compared to what I used to pay in Georgia).
A few days after receiving the ticket, I went to the local courthouse to pay the fine and to learn how the ticket would negatively affect my driving record. To my surprise, I was going to walk out of the courthouse maintaining a clean driving record. Although it was a fact that I was going 15mph over in a construction zone, he coded the offense “Impeded Traffic.” The lady informed me that as a result of the way he coded the ticket, it would not be reported on my record, no points would be added to my license, and my insurance rates would not be affected! *PRAISE BREAK*
This situation was such a beautiful illustration of God’s mercy. It was a reminder that God is so loving and compassionate that He is willing to wipe our slate clean and give us another chance even when we don’t deserve it. Although this is the nature of God, I encourage you not to take advantage of His grace and mercy. Often times people purposefully make bad decisions and try to “justify” them by saying things like, “God knows my heart…He knew I was going to make the decision before I made it…God will forgive me.”
Do not be deceived, my friend. Just as God is merciful and kind, He also rebukes and disciplines those He loves (Revelation 3:19). Also know that you are not deceiving God. He knows when we are sincerely remorseful for our sins and desire to change; and true change comes only through repentance. So I encourage you today to thank God for the mercy He has shown towards you, repent, and turn from your sin. Most importantly, forgive yourself and remember that God still loves you!
Blessings,
Imanne
Meditation Scriptures:
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” - Psalm 103:12
“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved.” - Ephesians 2:4-5
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help is in our time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” - Micah 7:18-19
“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets.” - Daniel 9:9-10
“Come now, lets us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” - Isaiah 1:18
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9
“For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” - 2 Corinthians 5:10