Getting right with God

I'm a fan of the TV series "24" and have enjoyed watching Jack Bauer and friends for the past few seasons. Monday night was this year's series finale, a two-hour special. It was full of action, suspense and drama.

Jack had been exposed to a deadly toxic gas for which there was only one long-shot cure, which he refused. As Jack lay on his death bed, a friend came by to see him and pray with him.

Jack, at what seemed to be his last hours of life, was wanting to "make things right," thinking about all the bad he had done during his lifetime. His friend suggested that they pray. I thought this was a great idea, then it took a little twist.

The friend said that they should pray and forgive themselves for what they had done. That's it. The message was that if you want to get things right before you die, forgive yourself.

I was disappointed, as a Christian, follower of Jesus Christ and student of the Bible, that God was not included in the touching moments of "getting things right."

The Bible clearly teaches that true forgiveness of our sins comes from God and Him alone. Most are familiar with the Lord's Prayer, which includes the words, "Our Father in heaven ... forgive us our sins as we forgive others."

1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Ephesians 1:7 says, "In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace."

I have a pretty good idea that Jack Bauer will be back next season and that the life-threatening toxic gas poisoning will be dealt with and he will continue fighting terrorists, and should have another chance to get things right, hopefully next time with the only One who can really make things right, God.

- Louie J. Locke is a pastor at Fountainhead Foursquare Church