Category Archives: Forgiveness

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June 22, 2014

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Forgiveness, Obedience

‘TIS EASIER SAID THAN DONE

Forgive us for our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us. [Matthew 6:12 (NCV)]

Yes, if you forgive others for their sins, your Father in heaven will also forgive you for your sins. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins. [Matthew 6:14-15 (NCV)]

“All I want is an apology,” he said, “and then I’ll forgive him.” But that’s not how it works! Jesus said nothing about requiring an apology or waiting for amends to be made before granting forgiveness. In fact, God’s forgiveness is offered with a unique proviso: we have to extend forgiveness to others if we expect to receive it from God.

We have a god who loves us unconditionally and forgives us endlessly, but we also have a god who demands that we love others as much as ourselves and forgive them as ceaselessly as we are forgiven. We can’t have one without the other.

Lord, it’s so much easier to accept your forgiveness than to extend our own. Please, give us obedient, loving and forgiving hearts.

Forgiveness always seems so easy, when we need it, and so hard when we need to give it. [Dr. Jim L. Wilson, from “Fresh Start Devotionals”]

Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. Even more than all this, clothe yourself in love.Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity. [Colossians 3:3-4 (NCV)]

 

 

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June 20, 2014

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Fear & Doubt, Forgiveness, Joy, Prayer, Temptation & Sin

IT’S GARBAGE DAY

When I kept things to myself, I felt weak deep inside me. I moaned all day long. … Then I confessed my sins to you and didn’t hide my guilt. I said, “I will confess my sins to the Lord,” and you forgave my guilt. [Psalm 32:3, 5 (NCV)]

Most of us aren’t good at admitting when we’ve sinned or even misbehaved. In fact, some of us are pretty good at denying it altogether. When my children were small, the guilty party in our household always seemed to be someone named “Not me” or “I don’t know.” One child always said, “The fox did it!” Is it the fear of punishment or the fear of not being forgiven that so often prevents us from acknowledging our sins?

As a girl, whenever I was caught misbehaving or admitted to disobedience, I knew I could expect yelling, tears, humiliation, disgrace and punishment. Forgiveness wasn’t guaranteed and wrongs were often rehashed again and again. I knew I deserved the punishment, but it was forgiveness that I craved. So, like many people, I did my best to hide my problems, failures and transgressions. Hiding sins, however, is like hiding garbage; as the guilt and shame accumulate, sooner or later things are going to stink!

Our Heavenly Father  gives us a guarantee our earthly parents didn’t: unconditional forgiveness. It’s amazing how easy it is to confess one’s sins when assured of forgiveness. Today, if there is any guilt or shame stinking up your life, confess your sins to God and be restored. There’s no secret so shameful and no sin so vile that He won’t forgive. Toss the disgusting garbage of past transgressions and start fresh today.

Father, help us acknowledge our wrongs and accept responsibility for our transgressions. Listen to our litany of offenses as we offer our confessions to you. Empty our lives of guilt and shame; fill us with joy at your merciful love and promised forgiveness.

When God forgives us and purifies us of our sin, He also forgets it. Forgiveness results in God dropping the charges against us. [Billy Graham]

If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done. [1 John 1:8-9 (NCV)]

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June 17, 2014

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Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Joy, Salvation: A New You

WHAT ROBE AM I WEARING?

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels. [Isaiah 61:10 (NLT)]

Lord, don’t let me forget that you have clothed me with a robe of salvation and righteousness, not one of condemnation and self-righteousness. I am redeemed and righteous, not because of anything I have done, but because of what you have done. It is your love and forgiveness that have saved me. If I don’t extend that same love and forgiveness to others, I am simply a sanctimonious, pious, and holier-than-thou hypocrite.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. [Luke 6:37 (NLT)]

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May 23, 2014

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Bible Stories, Forgiveness, Obedience

Casting Stones

“Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” …

[Jesus] said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” …

“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” [John 8:4-5,7,10b-11 (NIV)]

Because none of the Pharisees or scribes were without sin, none dared to lift a stone against this woman. There was one person present that day, however, who was completely without sin: Jesus. Yet, he didn’t cast a stone; instead, he was filled with mercy. Lack of condemnation on his part, however, doesn’t mean that Jesus condoned or excused her sin; in fact he tells her to sin no more. We must never confuse God’s forgiveness and absolution of our sins with toleration of them.

Lord, remind us all to reflect on our sins before condemning others. May we always remember that you expect us to change our lives and leave our sinful ways so that we can walk in your holy way.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [John 3:17 (NIV)]

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March 22, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Forgiveness

People Who Live in Glass Houses

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. [Matthew 7:1-2 (MSG)]

Father, thank you for the reminder that the only condemning I should be doing is of me, not of my brothers and sisters. May I always remember that old phrase, “People who live in glass houses, shouldn’t throw stones!” Keep me from a critical frame of mind so I always think the best of others, as I hope they do of me.

What we really want is to evaluate those around us with a divine justice, while we want them to evaluate us with a divine compassion. [From “Pieces of Eight” by Sidney Harris]

It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. [Matthew 7:3-5 (MSG)]

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February 3, 2014

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Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love

How Can He Do It?

Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. [Psalm 65:3 (NLT)]

It just takes a glance at the newspaper or a few minutes of television to see how absolutely horrific we humans can be to one another. The abuse of power, the exploitation, atrocities, corruption, selfishness, violence and depravity that exist in our world are both overwhelming and depressing. It seems that every day brings another news report that makes me ashamed of being part of the human race. How can we call ourselves “civilized”? That God is capable of repeatedly forgiving the evil mankind regularly recommits is hard to believe. Moreover, that He actually does forgive us our sins is astonishing. I find it absolutely mind-boggling, however, that God hasn’t given up on us in despair. Instead, He sacrificed his son for our salvation. If He hasn’t given up hope in the human race, neither will I.

Thank you, O Lord; we are so unworthy of your love, mercy and forgiveness.

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. [Psalm 145:8-9 (NLT)]