Thieves

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (Matthew 6:14 KJV)

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22 KJV)

Mostly likely more than one man requires this forgiveness from members of my family. My daughter’s, her son’s and her daughter’s vehicles were broken into this weekend. Two vehicles with out-of-state tags and boxes, I’m certain Christmas presents were expected. And Christmas presents were stolen.

But the boxes weren’t Christmas presents – and fortunately the thieves didn’t make off with them. They were baby gifts. Young parents expecting in February will have to pay $1,000 insurance deductible in addition to hospital and doctor bills, all because of thieves.

Each of these family members trust Christ’s words: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (Matthew 6:19 KJV)

Their real treasures – their eternal souls – are in the following verse: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:20 KJV)

Every thing these thieves stole is replaceable. All of the CDs were either Christian music or sermons. Even the iPODs and MP3s held Christian music and sermons. Some of each recorded by the young pastor hit by thieves.

We’ve discussed and are now praying for these thieves. Obviously they do not believe: Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15 KJV)

Surely they do not believe: The soul that sinneth, it shall die. ... But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. (Ezekiel 18:20-21)

So, we pray for these thieves. We pray they listen to the music; that they listen to the sermons; that the Holy Spirit opens their hearts to the word of God.

We pray that what they have stolen will eventually bring them to the Savior, and save their eternal lives.