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“I’ve done something I’ll never be forgiven for so now I’m agnostic,” she said, the low lights illuminating the gentle curve of her beautiful profile. She couldn’t look at me.
Without even hearing what she had done, I knew.
I once carried the same guilt.
I didn’t even ask what act was so heinous that even God couldn’t forgive because it didn’t matter.
He forgives it all.
And yes there are scriptures about blasphemy and not forgiving others and divorce and all that but in the end, He knows your heart.
There’s nothing He won’t pour His abundant grace and mercy over if your heart is for Him.
So when we confess and we ask for His forgiveness, it is finished. His Son died for that one.
And that one. And that one, too. And still more to come.
Of course, this doesn’t mean we seek forgiveness then say “OK, I’m clear. Let’s do that again!”
No, it means that we genuinely know what we did was wrong and we repent – meaning we will try our hardest to not do it again. This is where the self-control in the fruits of the spirit comes in.
But, sisters, if we keep repeatedly asking for forgiveness of the same sin, it’s not about Him anymore.
It’s about us and our disbelief that it really IS finished.
Once we confess and ask and repent, we are released. No need to carry those bags anymore. In fact, Jesus gave His life so He could carry them and you could carry His…
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. – Matthew 11:28-30
Let Him carry it, friends. All of it.
Because those heavy bags weigh you down and stink up your thoughts. Trust me. I know.
So as we enter into a holiday weekend, one of sweaty hair, and finding frogs, and catching the last fireflies of summer, let’s remember the God-breathed words of 2 Corinthians 5:17:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here!
You are a new creation, friend. Every day you have new mercies.
You’ve been washed by the water.
Release your yoke and pick up His.
I’m going to take a few days off to catch those frogs with sweaty kids and listen to their laughs as they catch the last of the fireflies.
I’ll see you next week, you new creation you…
Thank you.
Question. If you have asked forgiveness for a sin, and you know Jesus has forgiven you, but you still feel guilty because you have chosen not to tell a HUMAN that would be hurt and may never forgive you, what then? Are you allowed to not feel guilty because of what you have done, just because you have come clean with Jesus? Does that make sense? This is a serious question I have struggled with for years, and I just wanted your opinion. :)
Lisa, I’m so sorry I’m just now responding to this great question. This came in when my laptop was in the hospital and then when it was better well…I forgot. Thank you for your grace.
Hmmm….I’m not sure on this one without knowing particulars but my gut tells me that if revealing this sin to the person would bring up unnecessary hurt, you are cleared if you have confessed, sought forgiveness, and repented from the Lord.
If you have KNOWINGLY wronged someone (knowingly to them) and you ask forgiveness from God but not the person, then I do feel you need to go to the person as per Matthew 5:23-24:
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
But if you have already cleared this up with the Lord, and sharing this would wreak unnecessary havoc, I do not think it’s something that needs to be shared. Not everyone will agree with me on this so you will likely hear different camps of thought. Ultimately, ALL sin is against God so He’s who we need to go to first and foremost and set things straight.
Does this make sense? Let me know if you want to talk about this further, sister!