Scripture to Read: Luke 15:11-32, 1 John 4:18, Colossians 3:13
When we drink from the waters of fear, we miss out on the beauty of forgiveness and reconciliation. Most detrimentally, we miss out on the healing peace that comes from running to God's outstretched arms. Simply put, the very things that hurt us and lead us to fear, blind us from the One that gives us hope.
Forgiveness is an open gate to winning the spiritual battle that is ravaging our hearts. Thankfully, we can find forgiveness in the Father, and He can give us the strength to forgive those who have grieved us.
The story of the Prodigal Son is one of the most beautiful scenes in all of scripture. A rebellious son takes an inheritance from his father and goes on a wild gambling and spending spree. He goes against his father's wishes, crumbles under the enemy advances in spiritual warfare, and ends up broke and homeless. The son eventually goes back to his father, humbled and most likely afraid. When we've wronged someone, it's hard for us to go back and apologize, because of pride and our own fear of rejection. Sometimes we refuse to seek forgiveness, because we can't forgive ourselves.
Instead of the father being angry, bitter, and prideful, the father in the story goes running to his son as soon as he spots him. Scripture says that he ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him. Not only that, he threw a party for his wayward son. It was almost like the son's outright rebellion never happened.
That's how God the Father forgives us when go to him through a relationship with Jesus Christ! Its a beautiful scene!
In The Chaser, when Julius is talking to his former youth pastor, Todd, he learns the meaning behind Todd's daughter's name. He has named her Karis. "Karis" is the New Testament Greek word for "grace". It is fully defined as "a special gift of grace".
God offers us the "karis" through His Son Jesus Christ. We have done nothing to deserve this special gift of grace, but we have a Heavenly Father that loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us.
When we find the forgiveness that God offers, it is like a massive bomb hits the darkness in our lives. The enemy takes a heavy blow in the spiritual battle for our lives. Jesus has victory, and if we remember that great truth and reality in our lives, we will walk in the light and be the light of the world.
Forgiveness is an open gate to winning the spiritual battle that is ravaging our hearts. Thankfully, we can find forgiveness in the Father, and He can give us the strength to forgive those who have grieved us.
The story of the Prodigal Son is one of the most beautiful scenes in all of scripture. A rebellious son takes an inheritance from his father and goes on a wild gambling and spending spree. He goes against his father's wishes, crumbles under the enemy advances in spiritual warfare, and ends up broke and homeless. The son eventually goes back to his father, humbled and most likely afraid. When we've wronged someone, it's hard for us to go back and apologize, because of pride and our own fear of rejection. Sometimes we refuse to seek forgiveness, because we can't forgive ourselves.
Instead of the father being angry, bitter, and prideful, the father in the story goes running to his son as soon as he spots him. Scripture says that he ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him. Not only that, he threw a party for his wayward son. It was almost like the son's outright rebellion never happened.
That's how God the Father forgives us when go to him through a relationship with Jesus Christ! Its a beautiful scene!
In The Chaser, when Julius is talking to his former youth pastor, Todd, he learns the meaning behind Todd's daughter's name. He has named her Karis. "Karis" is the New Testament Greek word for "grace". It is fully defined as "a special gift of grace".
God offers us the "karis" through His Son Jesus Christ. We have done nothing to deserve this special gift of grace, but we have a Heavenly Father that loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us.
When we find the forgiveness that God offers, it is like a massive bomb hits the darkness in our lives. The enemy takes a heavy blow in the spiritual battle for our lives. Jesus has victory, and if we remember that great truth and reality in our lives, we will walk in the light and be the light of the world.
Discussion Questions: After Dexter punches Julius and sends him to the hospital, he is surprised when Julius offers him "grace" and decides not to tell on him. Why are we so surprised when people/God offer us grace?
At one point in the story Dex says, "I've been drinking from a spirit of fear for too long." How is fear a path to the darkness?
Forgiveness is a theme all throughout The Chaser. Julius struggles to forgive his parents. Dex doesn't want to forgive his father. Jennifer feels as if she cannot be forgiven for her past. It is no accident that when these characters pursue forgiveness, they grow healthier in mind and spirit. Why is it so healthy for us to forgive?
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