A couple who resorted to do-it-yourself marriage counseling resolved to list each other's faults and then read them aloud.

The wife gave her list and he read:

You snore, you eat in bed...

The list continued.

When the husband gave her his list, she smiled. He’d written his grievances, but next to each he’d written:

I forgive this.

Instead of a list of grievances, the result was a tabulated list of grace.

Imagine you are before the judgment seat of Christ. The book is opened, and the reading begins — each sin, each deceit, and each occasion of greed. But as soon as the infraction is read, grace is proclaimed. Jesus says, "I forgive this!"

Registered forgiveness!

No humiliation!

No shame!

Why? Because in heaven, you will be in your sinless state — happy to let God do in heaven what he did on earth. He will be honored in your weakness!

I forgive this!

© Max Lucado. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

From Max's book, When Christ Comes.