Faith In Forgiveness
Do you ever feel like you don’t deserve God’s blessings, His mercy, His grace or His favor? Remember the child’s saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”? Well, as adults, we know that’s not true. Negative words spoken in the past still raise their ugly head. It’s interesting that we absorb the negative first.
Our thoughts are powerful. We know that all good things come from the Lord so negative attitudes towards ourselves are not from Him. Jesus says we are, “fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)
Negative thoughts come from the devil, the father of lies and everything that is untrue. Satan is not new at this; he knows how to fill our minds with untruths. He knows our weaknesses and he know it starts in our minds. I believe this is what scripture verse 1 Peter 5:8 means when it says: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Okay, how about this burden: there is something that was done in the past; you made a poor choice or decision. You knew that it wasn’t right when you did it, but you did it anyway and things didn’t turn out like you thought. Many years have passed and you are still asking God for forgiveness and beating yourself up about it.
You ever been there?
You ever done that?
I sure have, and I still could not change a thing. That unforgiving of myself was trying to change me though. Did I ever feel like the Lord did not love me? No, never. Did I ever feel like Jesus was disappointed in me? Yes, absolutely!
I didn’t understand righteousness through Jesus’ blood. It took a really long time for me to forgive myself for past deeds, wrong choices; not listening to that inner-voice of guidance and truth! I didn’t want to hear it! This is what 1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I believe that me refusing to accept God’s forgiveness had to do with my faith, not His faithfulness. I say that because if I had faith in the Lord, which means believing His word, I would have been able to forgive myself. I had to embrace and believe in what He says in Hebrews 8:12, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”
Also, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6). I know that I do not deserve the Lord’s mercy, grace or blessings but we are heirs of God; co-heirs with Christ. 1 Corinthians 7:23 says: “You were brought at a price so glorify God in your bodies.”
So I pray: Father help me to stay focused on Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Thank you for your blessings that protect us, guide us to the path of righteousness, salvation and gives us hope. Amen.
GL