Forgiveness – a tough subject

This subject has been on my mind a lot. As I began to explore it, what was to be one post has turned into more. Come with me as I continue to explore forgiveness and see what others have to say about it.

• Forgiving others
• Forgiving ourselves
• Accepting forgiveness

What would you give to know forgiveness, to know there is nothing against you, or to know that you are clean?

Memories of the wrongs we have done in the past haunt us. Do you hear the whispers, “You are guilty. You committed a terrible thing.”

Maybe they aren’t whispers, maybe they are shouts and screams in your mind that torment you whenever the memories come to mind. I think even believers, born-again Christians struggle with knowing they are forgiven.

Are you carrying around a heavy load of guilt? Maybe you try to bury it, forget it for a while hoping to feel more forgivable? We feel bad about behavior, sins past, sins present. Meanwhile, life always has a cloud over it. Our life is not sunny. We don’t live under the smiling face of God.  Ps. 89:15

We all need forgiveness

We all need forgiveness. All. Everyone. No one is exempt. All need forgiveness.  Even people that think they are pretty good feel a twinge of guilt when thinking of standing before the Lord God Almighty. It is built in us, because we come from the same DNA as our first father, Adam. Cut off from God, knowing something is fundamentally wrong. It is not intellectual. It does not make sense. But it is still there.

When we sin we sin against God. Period. Yes, it affects others. But, it is essentially our insisting on not submitting to God and instead, doing what we want. David expressed it so clearly in Psalm 25 and 51. He knew what it felt like to be weighed down with guilt.

He says, “For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.  I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.” Psalm 38:4, 18.

God wants to forgive

One of the gifts from God is forgiveness, but it is only for those who call on the Lord, for those who repent. Forgiveness needs to be asked for. It must be received in a definite transaction between a person and God. Repentance is the only requirement to receive forgiveness.

The Old Testament reveals God’s forgiveness in Isaiah 43:25. “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.”

And in the New Testament, God instructed Paul to preach it. “That they might receive forgiveness” Acts 26:18. Receiving something without earning it, is a humbling experience. We like to earn something. God wanted humans to receive His forgiveness. Not something earned because not all might be able to earn it.

Have you received His forgiveness? We tend to think that forgiveness is something that is earned or somehow deserved. But, forgiveness from God does not come that way.  It is totally unearned. It is totally free.

And God is not reluctant to forgive. Isn’t that good news?! Have you repented so you can receive forgiveness?

Ps. 86:5 says, “For You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”

What have you received from God this past week? Have you received forgiveness? Oswald Chambers wrote about receiving from God.

Words to light your path

1 John 1:9-10 says,  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Ephesians 1:7 “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

This week join me in reading Psalm 25, 32, 38, 51. Next time I want to explore more about forgiveness to see what it is based on. Then later,  what is forgiveness? What does it mean to forgive?

Heavenly Father, it is so good to know that You are ready and willing to forgive. Help us to see how deep Your mercy is for us. Amen