As a child, I felt I could never please my mother. I was always doing something she disliked or saying something that angered her. When I was 10 years old, I remember I really upset her. My apology was not accepted, and she kicked me out of the house. I no longer remember the incident or her words, yet I can still recall how I felt – lost. Where would I go? With whom would I live? Who would take care of me? I knew I had messed up big time.
Of course, my mother did eventually forgive me (and I never had to find somewhere else to sleep). Throughout the years and well into adulthood, I continued to aggravate my mother and provoke her wrath. Yet, she always forgave, and she never stopped loving me.
Christ also forgives us and never stops loving us in a way my earthly mother could not. Christ is quick to forgive when we ask and sets us free from guilt and shame. He never turns His back on us and even in our worst moments, His love never fails.
Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
Micah 7:18
God’s greatest blessing is the forgiveness of our sins. And yet, too often, I refuse to let go of the guilt and shame for my transgressions carrying it with me long after He has forgotten my sin.
Then he adds:
Their sins and lawless acts
I will remember no more.
Hebrews 10:17
We live in a world where anything goes. Truth is whatever a person perceives it to be and is relative to the individual. Few things are off limits especially if everyone else is “doing it.” And yet sin, any sin, leaves me feeling uncomfortable, off kilter, and out of sorts – angry even. Attempts to justify my sin brings no relief. So what am I to do?
I must acknowledge my sin – make a full confession before Christ taking responsibility for my thoughts, actions, and inaction.
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper,
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
I need to plead for Christ’s mercy and claim Jesus’ justification and freedom.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,
that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
Acts 3:19
I must forgive others.
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matt 6:14-15
As Pastor Keith says, “I must go low.” I must get down on my knees, get honest with God, repent, plead for His mercy.
When I realize I have sinned, I feel as I did when I was that 10 year who had disappointed my mother, let her down. I feel lost. Without Christ, where will I go? With whom shall I live? Who will take care of me? I feel guilty and shameful. No matter my sin, Christ will forgive me if I repent. He didn’t go to the cross and shed is blood for all of us – He shed it for each of us. No exceptions.
Bottom line: 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
Challenge: Spend some time this week asking God to show you what sins you need to confess. Spend some time confessing to God. Spend some time remembering God’s promise to forgive you freely. Write a prayer of confession and/or gratitude to the God who freely forgives.
Pray:
Lord, have mercy on me – a sinner
Luke 18:13
Blessings!
– PSG –
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