But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. -- 1 John 1:9
Then Peter came to Him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?"
"No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!" -- Matthew 18:21-22
How beautiful is this forgiveness we have been given.
God has forgiven us. The God of the universe, the Creator of all things, the One who holds everything together, HE has reconciled with us. He desires this relationship so much, that He forsook His dear Son, casting all the wrath from MY sins, from OUR sins, upon Him, so that we could finally be forgiven.
How beautiful is this forgiveness we have been given.
My brothers and sisters have forgiven me. When I screw up, when I am so awful, when I am so selfish. This beautiful forgiveness from our beautiful Father has given us the strength to forgive one another. When I am forgiven by someone I have betrayed or hurt, I am in awe of the power of God. Everything in our sin nature pushes toward grudges and revenge. But Christ calls for something higher, greater, freer.
How beautiful is this forgiveness we have been given.
I have asked for forgiveness. As a selfish, stubborn, passive person in many ways, I have asked to be reconciled with my brothers and sisters. This may be the most humbling thing anyone must do. To accept the blame for my wrongdoing, to accept the consequences of my actions, to try to find the words of the agony in my heart because I have not treated my friends as I should, is incredibly hard. The enemy wants the believers to quarrel, to stay angry. But as people of the Most High God, we cannot allow that. The enemy is no longer in charge of who we are. So I must return to my mess that I made and clean it up, as much as it hurts, it brings so much more GLORY to Christ. And THAT is what I'm aiming for.
How beautiful is this forgiveness we have been given. <3