Huh? August 7th Was International Forgiveness Day?

You learn something new everyday and today I learned that August 7, 2011 was International Forgiveness Day and I totally missed the party. In fact, it turns out that this past Forgiveness Day was the 15th annual event of its kind. Where have I been? I found an article on a site called starpulse that talked about celebrities that we should forgive. Arnold Swarzenegger was on that list (good for them, it's been a tough year for Arnold). I even did some research on the official site of the International Forgiveness Alliance. Unfortunately, I never found any info on the most important forgiveness that anyone can receive...the forgiveness of Almighty God!
The apostle Paul mentions another one of those wonderful theological Bible words that has so much good info about forgiveness. Here it is...
ἀποκαταλλάσσω apokatallassō = "reconciled"

Colossians 1

21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

The word reconciled means to bring back to a state of harmony. You see it is sin, in this verse "wicked works", that made us an enemy of God and alienated us from a relationship with our Heavenly Father. How do we overcome our alienated state? How do we become friends with God and not remain enemies? The answer is given in the preceding verse...

20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

It is through the blood that Jesus shed on that cross 2000 years ago! We must believe that the blood that Jesus shed is sufficient payment for our sins and we must believe that the work of Christ is "enough" to make us friends with God and no longer enemies. Have you done that? I implore you to trust Jesus today as your Saviour!

In need of forgiveness?