Listen to Devotion

[Jesus said] “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. . . In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

I have met some amazing people in my life who have turned their lives around. I have friends who have battled addiction but eventually got clean and now go to church. I have friends who came to faith in Jesus Christ during a stint in prison. I have friends who, in their younger years, partied harder than most but have now left that sin behind and follow Jesus. I love these people. I am so proud of these friends of mine. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ!

But to be honest, not everyone in their lives is excited for them as I am or as you would be. They have siblings who lost out on the college money Mom and Dad had saved up because they had to put their brother through rehab. There were people in the bank who were terrorized the day that my friend tried to rob it. My friends’ promiscuity and partying left a lot of emotional wounds on those people with whom they broke ties.

It’s easy to celebrate with everyone who repents and says, ‘We’re all sinners, but Jesus forgives us all!’ But what about when that person who sinned inflicted pain on MY life? At times, that can be a tough thing for me to do.

But do you know who does forgive so freely? Jesus. And the sins of those people brought about more pain upon Jesus than anything those sins could have ever done to me or you. Yet, Jesus still forgives them. He rejoices whenever anyone repents. The angels of heaven celebrate with joy beyond measure! And so, we will as well. Rejoice with those who repent, those who turn to Christ for forgiveness, because Jesus has forgiven them just as he has forgiven you.

Dear Jesus, help me to forgive those who have sinned against me and brought pain into my life. Help me to rejoice with those who repent just as you and the angels rejoice in heaven when they do. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.