FORGIVENESS, JUDGMENT AND

Some people try to punish themselves for their sins, as opposed to standing on the promises of forgiveness.

The story is told of a time, many years ago, when a father and his daughter were walking through the grass on the Canadian prairie. In the distance they saw a prairie fire, which would soon engulf them. The father knew there was only one way of escape: they must quickly build a fire right where they were and burn a large patch of grass. When the huge prairie fire drew near, they could stand on the section that had already burned. When the flames did approach them, the girl was terrified, but her father assured her, “The flames can’t get to us. We are standing where the fire has already been.”

So it is with the forgiven when they see the judgment of God approaching. They are where the flames have already been and therefore are safe.521