Open Door Policies - God Lowers Our Defenses - Ash Wednesday - March 5, 2025

2 Samuel 12:1-13Lent can be a difficult time for people because of how somber and self-reflective it is. Lent begins with what might be the most painful and blunt day in the entire season: Ash Wednesday. Ashes remind Christians that every person is doomed to return to ash and dust in death. Death is the inescapable proof that we are sinful and deserve punishment.However painful God's law might be, God doesn't wound us out of petty vengeance. His goal is not that we simply beat ourselves up or try to punish ourselves. He wants to lead us to repentance! In repentance, we turn from our sinful ways and foolish ignorance of our own sin, and to our Savior.God's Lenten promise to everyone hurting because of their sin is this: "The Lord has taken away your sin! You are not going to die!"