Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (Psalm 32:1-2)

Pardon Revealed-No Stigma Entailed

My background is in Human Resources. When I was first starting hiring I was contacted by an agency that placed ex-felons in entry-level positions to give them an entry point back into society. That really appealed to me and I enthusiastically brought the agency to my manager's attention. She immediately told me “No, we can't do that.” I told her they were entry-level positions we would be hiring for adding it would give a hand up to people that needed it. Her response was “They can't be trusted” She was the boss so that ended it. That's stigma.

Christ doesn't do stigma. The account of the woman taken in adultery demonstrates it in a deeply touching and personal way (John 8:3-11). The Prophet Micah wrote 'He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot, You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea' (7:18-19). Believers on Christ are forgiven of every sin. Every mistake. Permanently.

God joys over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). He already knows what you need as soon as you open your eyes in the morning. Jesus said He gives abundant life (John 10:10). Is there something you need to confess to Him sincerely and with a repentant heart? He sees it and forgives you before you ask.

Neither Jesus nor our heavenly Father hold resentment and He never looks back. When the books of our lives are open before Christ, all we will hear is “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.” Inheritance speaks of adoption. Perfect love, perfect forgiveness. There is never any stigma in that.

Ken