I Will

          You've probably never heard of the Traf-O-Data 8008 software program. This program could take a look at traffic tapes and then process them into useful data. This was a miserable failure as it didn’t work in spite of being marketed to a county to process traffic data. Though we never heard of it, this was Bill Gates's first step into the world. Though the program didn’t work, it was an essential building block for the Microsoft Corporation to come.

          Microsoft is huge company operating worldwide. Gates a man who failed at a different attempt now has a company worth billions and spends his time on philanthropic efforts. Gates like so many other people are perfect examples as to why you should never quit. Just because a mistake has been made does not mean perfection or a masterpiece won’t come.We all have made mistakes. Some mistakes are so reprehensible that we continue to dwell on them instead of accepting Christ’s supernatural grace and moving past the disaster. These mistakes are sometimes ours, other times they are mistakes someone has committed against us. 

            In 2 Samuel chapters 11 & 12 we find the story of King David and his infatuation with Bathsheba. David observed her outside bathing. He was very attracted to her and sent for her. One little issue was the fact that she was married. Nonetheless David had sex with her and she became impregnated. In an attempt to cover up his frowned upon actions he needed to cover it up. Her husband Uriah was a noble man in his military. He had been away in battle and David would be exposed with Bathsheba being pregnant. So David sent for Uriah to come home and have a nice relaxing evening so to speak.

            Uriah on the other hand was so dedicated to his troops he didn’t have that relaxing evening. David then tried tricking him to get him drunk and go home, but Uriah went back out and slept with his troops. So David had him sent into the front of the battleground where Uriah would be sure to die. Uriah was killed. Once this happened Bathsheba was summoned and became David’s wife. The child born from this situation lived a few days before dying.

            David was the man who was after God’s own heart. He wrote many of the Psalms, yet he made such a mistake. We all make mistakes we are not proud of.  We have to recognize you made a mistake or someone made a wrong against you. You see it. It can't be taken back. Accept the mistake occurred and make a plan to move past it. Purpose to move forward either forgive or learn from the mistake to make sure you don't commit it again. 

            Moving forward is easier said than done. Tell yourself I will accept the gift of forgiveness. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law and from our transgressions. We are promised in Hebrews 8:12 that our sins will be forgotten. This isn’t the only passage with such a promise. Psalm 103:12 says our sins are as far as the east is from the west. Isiah 43:25 says he will not remember our sins and they are wiped out. You have to accept this gift.

            Now that you recognize how clear Christ is to give you this gift, you are also commanded to give the gift to others. Jesus said forgive seventy times 7 in Matthew 18:22. Ephesians 4:26 says not to let the sun go down on your anger. If you don't forgive, don’t expect Christ to forgive you as noted in Matthew 6:15. You are to accept this gift and to give it. Tell yourself you will accept the gift and you will give it.

           You can rest in the grace you have been given. Don’t be careless but be purposeful. Mistakes happen, accept them, adjust and learn from them, and receive freedom from them. Don't purpose to never forgive yourself or someone else. Instead purpose to forgive and be forgiven. You will love the freedom this brings. You are God’s masterpiece and a reflection of his glory. It is his will, his desire, and his plan to give you a full and purposeful life free from bondage, guilt, and oppression. You don’t have a minute to spare. Take his gift, its free, and designed specifically with you in mind.

Instead of saying I can’t, start proclaiming I will.