One of my most memorable teenage experiences was when my father let me drive his brand new Chevrolet convertible to my friend’s house. I left my old car in the driveway and took a back way down a twisting road. I went too fast around a curve and side-swiped another car. The police came, and I called home. My father immediately came in my car and told me to go on to my friend’s house. He said he’d deal with the police and the car. My dad never mentioned the accident to me again, nor criticized me for what I had done, and I’m still grateful.

But God offers to forgive even more than a smashed-up car. He offers to forgive all our sins. I’m grateful to my dad for his forgiveness, but I’m even more grateful to God because the more you’re forgiven, the greater your gratitude.