Forgiveness – Page 6 – Three Minute Bible

April 16, 2020April 16, 2020

James 5: 19-20 — The Right Way

Arrow sign points right with the word "right" on it.

My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

How do you tell if someone has wandered from the truth?
What truth are we talking about?
What does it mean to bring them back? Back to what? Where?

I have to admit that being able to turn a sinner from the error of their way sounds like a wonderful thing . Can you imagine the rush that comes from knowing you have saved someone from death? And how easy! Simply turn them from the error of their way!

But what does that mean?

April 14, 2020April 14, 2020

James 5: 16b — Righteousness

A plasma ball against a black background illustrates power.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

We are almost at the end of James’ letter to the “twelve tribes.” Throughout his letter, James talks about what it means to be a righteous person.

A righteous person considers trials to be a joy. He knows that testing leads to perseverance, and perseverance leads to maturity. A righteous person is mature in faith. They are complete.

A righteous person has the wisdom the comes from God because they have asked and not doubted. They are of a single mind, one that is devoted to the Lord.

April 13, 2020April 13, 2020

James 5: 16a — Now What?

A statue of a man and woman embracing depicts forgiveness.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

It is the day after Easter. News of the most amazing event in history has spread around the globe. Everyone has been confronted by the reality of this amazing story. God in the flesh is killed by the beings he created. Three days later, the Son of God is seen alive again. Not just by one or two people but by hundreds of people who knew him before he died.

Myself and others, maybe even you, have chosen to believe in his resurrection and promise of forgiveness. Now what?

Now what, indeed.

April 12, 2020April 12, 2020

James 5: 15b — Artwork Redeemed

A child's hand holds a colored pencil over a colorful drawing.

If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

Today’s post happens to land on April 12, 2020. This day is special because it is Easter Sunday. It is unique because this year is the year of the COVIC-19 pandemic. This makes an odd backdrop to this year’s Easter. The pandemic has thrown the world into a panic. Thanks largely to a strategy of isolating people from each other, the Coronavirus has failed to reach what might be called critical mass in our country. Instead of being overwhelmed, many hospitals are empty.

Unfortunately, the isolation that has slowed the spread of the virus has also kept us away from church. So when Easter morning dawns today, there will be an eerie silence in most, if not all, of America’s churches.

What does this mean?