“I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:17-18 NIV)

“This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:46-47 NIV)

Near some of the hot springs in Iceland, we found a strange item for sale in a can: Fresh Icelandic mountain air. For a merely 1100 kronas (around 9$) you could carry a little of Iceland’s fresh air back home with you.

I, for one, was a little perturbed by this. The air in Iceland is, indeed, deliciously fresh, and I was currently surrounded by it. I doubted that opening that little can back to our polluted cities would make any difference whatsoever. I can just hear the poor, gullible tourist: “What a waste of 9$! I can’t smell anything!” But hey, to each his own. I wouldn’t be amazed if you can buy canned Icelandic air online!

The problem in our day and age is that we specialize in canned goods. Including canned religion. The only problem is, canned religion is far from delectable! If our message is not based on the reality of God’s love, it is both hopeless and worthless.

Because we have experienced God’s love and forgiveness directly, and especially because we don’t deserve it, we can’t help but broadcast the news that forgiveness is a reality that changes lives. It is the absolute truth that Jesus died for our sins and rose on the third day, guaranteeing that as those who accept His message, we are truly forgiven! We have been reconciled with our Heavenly Father, who has never stopped loving us dearly.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1 NIV)

Do you want to know the best part? Jesus’ forgiveness isn’t packaged in a tiny tin can and put on the shelf of a tourist shop! It’s free to everyone for the taking! Through Jesus we can be freed from our prison of unforgiveness. We can be set free to forgive those who have hurt us. Why? “Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7 NIV)

You are welcome to buy that can of fresh air, but I would recommend Jesus’ forgiveness instead! It’s free, and it’s much more refreshing than stale canned fresh air!

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Forgiven” devotional series, please click here.)