Grudges and Forgiveness

Friday, January 21, 2011

Several years ago, a friend and I were discussing forgiveness; particularly forgiving ourselves and others with past wrongs. The sins, or mistakes, varied in degree. We then rhetorically asked whether God forgives us or anyone else when we humble ourselves before Him; acknowledging our wrongs, seeking His forgiveness and repenting or turning from that action. According to scripture, God casts my sin and your sin as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). According to my math, that is a long ways away!

When God throws our sins as far as the east is from the west, He is not playing ‘fetch’ like we do with a dog. Yet, some of us keep going to the far ends of east and west to retrieve our forgiven sins; and while there often pick up and return with the forgiven sins of others. The secular media are champion retrievers!

My friend and I reminded each other that Jesus said that we are forgiven as we forgive others. Uh Oh – better be careful. Let’s give this some thought. The Lord’s forgiveness is final to Him; once He forgives and throws it as far as the east is from the west; our sin is erased in His mind. Consequently, if we are saturated and led by the Holy Spirit; we too will recognize full forgiveness of repented sins; whether our own or others.

There is only one God, existing in Trinity. As Jesus said, a house divided can not stand. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is absent double talk. Once God forgives, the Holy Spirit also recognizes the sin as forgiven. If I fail to recognize the sin as forgiven; I am being led by my sinful nature instead of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit he sent to comforter and convict us. Conviction leads us to repentence.

Let us confess our sin, repent or turn from our sin, accept forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and recognize the forgiveness of others as we do in ourselves.

See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!

Rick E. Meyer

See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
www.rickemeyer.com