Tuesday, February 12, 2013
By: Gwen Hitt
Pardon, Pardon!
Hebrews 8:12 "For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins, and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more."
Have you ever wronged someone and then went to that person to ask for forgiveness? If you have and RECEIVED forgiveness, I am sure you can relate to what God is telling us in today's scripture. He will not only forgive us if we go to Him, BUT He will no longer REMEMBER our deeds (sin). 
Now, let's think of how we, in our human nature, tend to forgive others. Although we mouth the words, "I forgive you," we often tuck the deed (offense) in the deep recesses of our minds in order to reach in and bring it to light IF the same offense is committed again. Thankfully, God doesn't operate this way. Rather, He proclaims "I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more."
There is a very unique Mardi Gras Day tradition in my small hometown of Gheens, Louisiana that shockingly still exists today. At 2:00 p.m., young men from the community dress up in Mardi Gras costumes and run around with switches (small tree branches) to whip residents who refuse to get on their knees and utter the words "Pardon, Pardon" (thankfully, we're usually out of town lol). The custom is thought to stem from the act of cleansing oneself from sin by asking for forgiveness before the beginning of the Lenten season which occurs the day after Mardi Gras.
Pardon is defined as "to forgive or excuse a person, error, or offense." Isn't it so reassuring to know that God is not chasing us with a stick to beat us if we are not ready to repent? Instead, He patiently waits with an expectant heart and a willingness to not only FORGIVE but to FORGET our transgressions.
Most importantly, He shares in today's scripture that He "will be merciful and gracious toward their sins." I am certain we would all appreciate mercy and graciousness when approaching someone to confess a wrongdoing.
My challenge to you today is to always follow God's example by completely forgiving the people who have hurt or offended you. I also encourage you to go to Him with the assurance that He is not holding a stick in His hand forcing you to ask for PARDON. Rather, He is gently beckoning you to walk into His open arms to receive His mercy and grace.
Dear Lord, I thank You that You love me unconditionally. I am so grateful for your faithfulness and willingness to forgive and forget my sins.
I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray.
