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OUR DAILY BREAD             Tuesday, Aug. 22, 1995    
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READ:   Romans 8:1-11   
 
         
                  GOD'S MERCY SYSTEM    
 
     "Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet  
     stumble in one point, he is guilty in all." 
 
                                - James 2:10    
 
In the United States justice system, it's important 
that jurors have an open mind.  They can't have  
their minds made up before they get into the courtroom.   
They must always remember that a person is considered  
innocent until proven guilty. 
 
Even for those who never expect to find themselves on 
the wrong side of the law, it's a comfort to know that 
guilt is not assumed, but has to be proven. 
 
Yet, this system of justice is not like the one God 
has devised for mankind.  We are declared guilty before 
we even enter His courtroom!  And though that may not 
sound fair, it is.  God's perfect holiness demands it. 
 
In a courtroom, when a person is found guilty, he or 
she faces punishment.  But the wonderful thing about 
God's courtroom is that when we admit our guilt, we  
are offered mercy!  We are all guilty and face an  
eternal life-sentence of death.  Yet the penalty for  
sin is meted out only to those who refuse to acknow- 
ledge their sin, and who reject God's forgiveness  
through Jesus Christ. 
 
Guilty -- that's our status.  But we can be granted 
forgiveness and be pardoned from our sin through the 
blood of Jesus Christ.  That's God's mercy system! 
 
                                -- J. David Branon 
 
        God's pardon is so full and free, 
           For Jesus died on Calvary; 
        It's granted to each sinful soul 
        Who truly longs to be made whole. 
 
                                -- Dennis J. De Haan 
 
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             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 
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        God's justice condemns us -- 
          but His mercy redeems us. 
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Jeremiah 13-16

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