Freedom and forgiveness
God called to the Man: “Where are you?”
He said, “I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid.” ~ Genesis 3:9-10 (MSG)
Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father. ~ Galatians 4:6 (CEV)
KEY IDEA:
God our Father keeps an eye out for his people.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, I'm grateful for your parental care -- even if sometimes I feel like you watch me too closely. I like my independence. And I know that you want me to have some responsible independence. But I'm just like Adam; when I mess up I try to hide rather than deal with the issue. Save me from my sin and my shame. Empower me to be open and forthcoming. For your Son, Christ Jesus has made a way for forgiveness and freedom. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
