Not Keeping Score

by Kenneth L. Samuel | published on Nov 8, 2025

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them. – Psalm 32:1-2 (NIV) 

In the state of Georgia, points are added to your driver’s license for certain traffic violations, ranging from 2 to 6 points depending on the severity of the offense. Reckless driving – 4 points. Unlawful passing of a school bus – 6 points. Aggressive driving – 6 points. Speeding – 2 to 6 points, depending on how many mph over the speed limit. Anyone who accumulates 15 points or more within a 24-month period faces immediate license suspension. 

Points not only affect driving privileges but can also significantly increase insurance premiums. These demerit points are intended to discourage repeated unsafe driving. 

But God is not like the Georgia Department of Driver Services. God keeps no record of offenses. 

Offenses, intended or not, are part and parcel of being an imperfect person living in a world of imperfect people. If God accumulated all our offenses and held them all against us, it wouldn’t take two years or even two days to lose all our divine privileges. 

The wrongs themselves are not the only things that destroy relationships and families. It’s the refusal to drop the score card of wrongs that undermines the efforts toward renewal.  

Law corrects us by keeping copious records of our wrongs. Love corrects us by forgiving every one of our transgressions and trusting us to start anew. Law keeps receipts on all our violations. Love tells us, “If anyone be in Christ, they are a new creature; old things are passed away and all things become new.” Law seeks to change our behavior with rules and punishment. Love seeks to change our being with seventy-times-seven chances to live free from the condemnation we know we deserve. 

Prayer
Lord, I obey the law because of the points. And I obey you because your unmerited favor inspires me to be the best I can be.

Kenneth SamuelAbout the Author
Kenneth L. Samuel is Pastor of Victory for the World Church, Decatur, Georgia.