02
Oct
Focus on Forgiveness
Posted by: developerWe live in a fallen world that runs contrary to all that is godly and righteous. The Christian who wants to please God knows this all too well. At every turn, we are confronted with opportunities and invitations to disobey Scripture and grieve the Spirit. We can’t get through a single day without failing in some way.
Human relationships are a case in point. They are fragile and easily broken. When offenses come into our lives, most of us find it difficult to forgive and forget. We keep the wound open and, over time, it becomes infected with bitterness and resentment. There are other situations where we are the offender. We have done wrong to another person through sharp words and/or hurtful actions. In either case, it is difficult to repair the relationship completely. Humility, confession, and forgiveness are the key ingredients to reconciliation.
When it comes to your relationship with God, it is even more complicated. He is not someone you see occasionally and you can adjust your behavior accordingly. On the contrary, we live every moment of our lives in his presence and he knows every thought, word and deed. The offenses are almost continual. Psalm 139:1-6 describes God’s complete knowledge of our lives. It says that the Lord knows what we will say and do even before it takes place. How can we ever hope to be right with God and walk in fellowship with him?
The Old Testament prophet Daniel gives us hope. He says, “to the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him” (Dan. 9:9). Even though we rebel repeatedly against our loving heavenly Father, he still offers us mercy and forgiveness. How is this possible? It is possible because Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, laid down his life as payment for the sins we have committed. It is because of that payment that he can make the following offer to all: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
There is mercy and forgiveness for all because the Lord our God is faithful and just.
