Pardoned by God 蒙上帝赦免

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Dexu Xia

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Nov 30, 2024, 12:09:54 AM11/30/24

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Who is a God like you, who pardons sin . . . ? Micah 7:18

Around the national Thanksgiving holiday, the US president welcomes two turkeys to the White House before granting them a presidential pardon. Instead of being served as the main dish of the traditional Thanksgiving meal, the turkeys safely live out the rest of their lives on a farm. Although the turkeys can’t comprehend the freedom they’ve been granted, the unusual annual tradition highlights the life-giving power of a pardon.

The prophet Micah understood the significance of a pardon when he wrote a strong warning to the Israelites still in Jerusalem. Similar in form to a legal complaint, Micah recorded God bearing witness against the nation (Micah 1:2) for desiring evil and indulging in greed, dishonesty, and violence (6:10-15).

Despite these rebellious acts, Micah ends with hope rooted in the promise that God doesn’t stay angry forever but instead “pardons sin and forgives” (7:18). As the Creator and Judge over all, He can authoritatively declare that He won’t hold our actions against us because of His promise to Abraham (v. 20)—ultimately fulfilled in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Being pardoned from all the ways we fail to live up to God’s standards is an undeserved gift that brings immense blessings. As we grasp more and more of the benefits of His complete forgiveness, let’s respond in praise and gratitude.

By: Lisa M. Samra

What are the benefits of the pardon God offers? How does it prompt gratitude?

May I live, merciful Father, in gratitude because of the pardon You’ve offered me。

上帝啊！有何神像祢，赦免罪孽⋯⋯?—弥迦书7章18节

在每年感恩节来临之前，美国总统会在白宫迎接两只火鸡的到来，然后让它们蒙总统特赦。这两只火鸡非但不会成为传统感恩节大餐的主菜，还能在农场里安度余生。尽管火鸡无法理解那赋予它们的自由，但这个不寻常的年度传统，凸显了赦免能够赐予生命。

先知弥迦深知赦免的重要性，于是向当时仍住在耶路撒冷的以色列民，发出强烈的警告。弥迦用类似撰写控诉书的方式，记录上帝对以色列民的指控（弥迦书1章2节），这些百姓多行不义、贪图非义之财、毫无诚信，以及崇尚暴力（6章10-15节）。

尽管当时以色列民有这些悖逆的行径，但弥迦书的结尾仍充满盼望。这样的盼望根植于上帝应许祂不会永远怀怒，而是会饶恕、“赦免罪孽”（7章18节）。上帝是万物的创造者和审判者，祂以权柄宣告，不会按照我们的行为来对待我们，这是因为祂对亚伯拉罕的应许（20节）。最终，这个应许藉着耶稣的受死和复活成就了。

我们所有的罪，即未能达到上帝标准的行为，都可以得到上帝的赦免，这是我们不配得的恩典，能为我们带来极大的祝福。当我们越发体会到祂那完全赦免的恩典时，就让我们以赞美和感谢来回应祂吧！

作者： 夏莉珊

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