Get the app2016 Belmont University Lenten GuideSample
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” —C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
In Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection we receive the mercy—undeserved favor—of God. From the events thousands of years ago, we have been redeemed for our past, present and future sins. Let that sink in for a second—all that we have done and ever will do has been forgiven. Forgiven, not for our own sake, but solely on the fact that we are prized and loved children of God. How is it that we can become immune to this grandiose gift? How is it that we can know it, but not fully believe it? Where is the disconnect between our head and our heart?
I fall prey to this sin numerous times as I can unconsciously have the knowledge of my redeemed sins, yet I sometimes lack the heart to gift was has been given to me. As C. S. Lewis points out, God has forgiven our deepest sins when we do not deserve it. In Christ, we are made a new creation, “the old has passed away and the new has come.” Just like in the parable of the Prodigal Son, the father welcomes the son back with open arms, without mentioning how the son squandered all his money or disrespected his father and family. The son, like us, is gifted a clean slate because of the love the father has at his return. There are neither grudges nor any debts. However, in our own lives, we can turn our back to a neighbor, friend or sibling who has wronged us. Yet, it is our Christian duty and distinction that calls us to forgive like we have been forgiven.
When we consciously rest in the undeserved forgiveness of Christ and begin to vividly see each other as loved children of God, it is impossible to have hatred towards each other. When we full heartedly embrace our forgiveness, the Spirit in us will genuinely forgive the faults against us. Today, ask God to show us how He sees us—clean, loved, beautiful, and cherished—so that we can see others in the same light. Ask God to work in our hearts so that we can mirror to others the forgiveness that He has given us.
HANNAH FLETCHER
Junior
Christian Ethics and Business Management
In Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection we receive the mercy—undeserved favor—of God. From the events thousands of years ago, we have been redeemed for our past, present and future sins. Let that sink in for a second—all that we have done and ever will do has been forgiven. Forgiven, not for our own sake, but solely on the fact that we are prized and loved children of God. How is it that we can become immune to this grandiose gift? How is it that we can know it, but not fully believe it? Where is the disconnect between our head and our heart?
I fall prey to this sin numerous times as I can unconsciously have the knowledge of my redeemed sins, yet I sometimes lack the heart to gift was has been given to me. As C. S. Lewis points out, God has forgiven our deepest sins when we do not deserve it. In Christ, we are made a new creation, “the old has passed away and the new has come.” Just like in the parable of the Prodigal Son, the father welcomes the son back with open arms, without mentioning how the son squandered all his money or disrespected his father and family. The son, like us, is gifted a clean slate because of the love the father has at his return. There are neither grudges nor any debts. However, in our own lives, we can turn our back to a neighbor, friend or sibling who has wronged us. Yet, it is our Christian duty and distinction that calls us to forgive like we have been forgiven.
When we consciously rest in the undeserved forgiveness of Christ and begin to vividly see each other as loved children of God, it is impossible to have hatred towards each other. When we full heartedly embrace our forgiveness, the Spirit in us will genuinely forgive the faults against us. Today, ask God to show us how He sees us—clean, loved, beautiful, and cherished—so that we can see others in the same light. Ask God to work in our hearts so that we can mirror to others the forgiveness that He has given us.
HANNAH FLETCHER
Junior
Christian Ethics and Business Management
About this Plan
Again this year, through an intentional partnership between the College of Theology & Christian Ministry and the Office of University Ministries, we have been able to create and offer a Lenten Devotional Guide to help our campus community prepare for Easter.
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We are truly grateful for all of the individuals who have helped to make this fifth annual Lent and Holy Week guide a reality for our campus community, as it was indeed a campuswide collaboration that includes contributions from students, faculty and staff from across the campus, and even a few alumni. For more information, please visit: http://www.belmont.edu/
