Asking For Forgiveness (Photo credit: hang_in_there)
Humbling and Powerful
This Week’s Key Verse: Colossians 3:12-13 (NASB)“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you”
Take a moment and pray that the Lord will speak to you in this time of study.
“Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” Matthew 9:4-6
I remember the day like it was yesterday. My dear friend Ellie and I were walking around the little circle of houses that was our neighborhood. I was seeking and questioning the love of Christ, trying to make sense of relationship vs. religion and trying desperately to let go of a lifetime of hurt. We were talking about my mom and her broken condition and how it had permeated every pore of my body. I had been so affected by the relationship, as I should; she was, after all, my mother. But I was having the most difficult time forgiving her. I had grown up in a faith that had middlemen; I wasn’t encouraged to seek forgiveness of the Father without going through a “father.” Repentance was contingent on a string of prayers. At this point in my life, I felt overwhelmed with uncertainty. I had no desire to sit in the presence of a stranger and pour my heart out in seeking forgiveness, but I had no other idea of how to rid myself of this desire to forgive. And then Ellie offered this simple suggestion, “Give it to Jesus. Only He can truly forgive her. Ask Him to forgive you.” Ah, a light-bulb moment.
Was it really that easy? By simply asking Jesus to forgive me, and giving her completely to Him, I could be washed of this ache that settled deep into my marrow. This sounded more like a relationship than a religion. It made so much sense. I didn’t need a mediator between myself and the King of kings, I just needed to open my heart to Him and He would wash me and my troubles, white as snow.
I was beyond grateful. My heart felt light. My eyes seemed to see the world in fresh and vibrant colors. There was newness to the way I perceived life and living … and, mostly, relationships.
Through the years, the Lord has given me the precious gift of remembrance. And I am not talking about Hallmark moments laced in lovely and pretty memories, but rather the raw and humbling moments of my past. The moments that seem to leave a pit in my stomach. He gifts me the memories so that I may repent of those days of poor judgment and bad choices. When I repent, truly seek forgiveness, He erases those times; as though they never existed. I am left feeling refreshed and clean and a bit more full of His goodness.
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3: 13
It’s a tough pill to swallow, forgiveness. It’s humbling and powerful all at once. There is release and beauty in the seeking and the giving, but, at times, our human condition prevents us from doing either. We must be constantly seeking His forgiveness. In times of flesh-filled turmoil, we must cry out to Him to fill us with His peace and love and forgiveness. We can cry out for redemption … time and time again. We must constantly seek forgiveness, because in each moment of our lives we are sinful. On our own we are fallen and completely imperfect, yet in Christ there is a bounty of perfect, forgiving love. Love that heals and restores and sets us on righteous paths in His will.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
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