Monday, January 4th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 1: God forgives me
Section 1: Living the Big Idea
The big picture
Jeremiah 31:34b (NLT)
“And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”
Deal or No Deal?
An actuary is a financial problem-solver, using math and statistics to calculate the odds that an event will happen. I’m not sure of the odds of becoming an actuary, but I can tell you if you want to achieve success in sports, stick to golf.
Odds of winning an Olympic medal: 662,000 to 1
Odds of becoming a pro athlete: 22,000 to 1
Odds of bowling a 300 game: 11,500 to 1
Odds of getting a hole in one: 5,000 to 1
If you want to stay injury free, play with fireworks and avoid showering.
Odds of injury from fireworks: 19,556 to 1
Odds of injury from shaving: 6,585 to 1
Odds of injury from using a chain saw: 4,464 to 1
Odds of injury from mowing the lawn: 3,623 to 1
Odds of fatally slipping in bath or shower: 2,232 to 1
If you’d like to be immortalized, get a good lawyer.
Odds of getting canonized: 20,000,000 to 1
Odds of being an astronaut: 13,200,000 to 1
Odds of writing a New York Times best seller: 220 to 1
Odds of getting away with murder: 2 to 1
If you’d like the freedom to live without regret, to sleep well at night, and to not look over your shoulder with regularity, the odds are in your favor. Sadly, most people would rather try to win the lottery (13,000,000 to 1) than receive the biggest gift of their life. But here it is, God’s gift to you: “And I will forgive your wickedness, and I will never again remember your sins.” God forgives you. But what are the odds that you’ll believe it? And receive it?
The odds of having your identity stolen are 200 to 1, and while that statistic references your professional identity, don’t let fear or lack of belief pilfer your true, spiritual identity. Because God loves you, He calls you friend, and because He calls you friend, He forgives you. Receive that blessing today and if you doubt the reality of this week’s big idea, ask yourself what the odds are that God is lying.
One other warning: the odds of getting hemorrhoids: 25 to 1.
Definition
New Covenant: The Jeremiah verse is a key section in what’s known as the “New Covenant.” Covenant implies a relationship, promise, and expectation and the New Covenant accomplished what the old could not: removal of sin and cleansing of the conscience (Jer. 31:34; Heb. 10:2, 22). The work of Jesus Christ on the cross thus makes the old covenant “obsolete” (Heb. 8:13) and fulfills the promise of the prophet Jeremiah.
6 Comments to Week 3 / Day 1: God forgives me
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Thanks for this message today, Gregg. It’s an excellent reminder of God’s grace and His greatest gift to mankind ever.
encouraging reminder! good job!
so true! the whole “odds” thing is fascinating- what gets me is why we play really bad odds with spiritual stuff and try to really work the unimportant stuff- even if I didn’t know what I know, I have a 50% chance of being right or wrong going with Christianity- why would I bet my eternity with a 50% risk? Christianity is the best spiritual deal around anyway- forgiveness and love from a big God….
hey thanks for the call! g.0
I am so thankful that it’s only us that play the odds!
God’s mercy and grace are amazing!
What are the odds of a NY Jets-Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl this year? Go Cowboys! Love Ya G$!
Greg, This was a delight to read. And the punch line is terrific and makes the point well. Thanks for your unique and fresh exposition upon well known scripture references. I always look forward to reading your work when it arrives in my mailbox!
Sue