Episode
Abundantly Free
- Podcast
- Grace for All
- Published
- Jun 10, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 345
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://graceforall.captivate.fm/episode/abundantly-free
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Summary
Ephesians 1:7-8 (The Message Version) Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! Each day delivered to my inbox is a quote. I enjoy reading them because of the wide range of people they draw from. I never know if the quote will be from some ancient like Aristotle, a contemporary but from a different faith tradition like the Dali Lama, or someone from pop culture. They are almost all thought provoking in some way. Recently the quote was from Oprah Winfrey. It was “No one is the worst thing then have ever done.” This quote got me thinking about how we too often let the negatives of life define us. We let past negative events, actions and words color our perspectives on life for a day, for awhile and sometimes even a lifetime. It is hard to not let those negatives moments define us. I have heard people say, “I’ll never forgive them for...” or they say, “I don’t think I will ever get over....” They are letting the worst things that have happened define them or those around them. Oprah is right no one is the worst thing they have ever done or even the worst thing that has happened to them. Our faith talks about forgiveness and renewal. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians offers such a perspective. Paul wanted his listeners, and that includes us today, to remember that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus we are free people. “We are free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!” The worst thing we have ever done, is forgiven. It doesn’t define us anymore. It also doesn’t define others. We have to give God the op…