The Smell of Sacrifice

"Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him." (Ephesians 5:1-2)
Have you noticed how the attention in Charleston has shifted from the brutality of the killer to the gracious forgiveness of the family members?  It seems these family members are living out a life filled with love for others.  Their example of love is so much more powerful than the killer's example of hate.  The sin is being overcome by love. The world has stopped to notice the presence of Christ at Emanuel AME Church.  Nine men and women gave their lives as a dying sacrifice.  Nine families are now daily giving their lives as a living sacrifice.  It's a sweet perfume.  You can't help but stop and notice such a fragrant aroma.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." --26 year old Tywanza Sander quoting Jackie Robinson. He stepped in front of his 87 year old aunt to try to save her life at Emanuel AME Church.

Forgiveness

"Though our hearts are filled with sins, you forgive them all." (Psalm 65:3)

What an amazing promise!  God forgives sinful hearts!  Do you have guilt and shame that you are hanging on to? There is no need to continue to relive the mistakes of the past.  There is no virtue in trying to pay penance for yesterday's failures.  Jesus died once and for all to pay the price for our sins.  We need only confess our sins and He will make us righteous through His own blood that was shed on the cross.  "What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!"  It's as simple as ABC.

A-cknowledge that you have sinned and come short of God's glorious standard.
B-elieve that God stepped into the world, lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death, and rose victoriously on the 3rd day.
C-onfess Jesus as Lord of your life, both privately and publicly, for now and forever.

“Woman, where are they? Has no one judged you guilty?"
She answers "No one, sir."
Then Jesus says, "I also don't judge you guilty. You may go now, but don't sin anymore."
If you have ever wondered how God reacts when you fail, frame these words and hang them on the wall.Read them. Ponder them.Drink from them. Stand below them and let them wash over your soul.
Or better still, take him with you to to your canyon of shame. Invite Christ to journey with you back to the Fremont Bridge of your world. Let Him stand beside you as you retell the events of the darkest nights of your soul.
And then listen. Listen carefully. He's speaking.
"I don't judge you guilty."
And watch. Watch carefully. He's writing. He's leaving a message. Not in the sand, but on a cross.
Not with his hand, but with his blood.
His message has two words: not guilty.”
    --Max Lucado, He Still Moves Stones