I originally posted this back in the fall as part of the Stinkin’ Thinkin’ Makeover series. Sorry for the lack of original material but I don’t feel like we are finished talking about forgiveness.
So many of us work on forgiving others. We have grace. We learn forgiveness is really about releasing for the sake of our selves.
We focus on forgiving THEM.
But rarely do we focus on forgiving OURSELVES.
I have made some very, very bad choices in my life. I have even committed a sin some believe is unforgivable (It’s not. For the record.)
When we walk around with the nasty monkey of unforgiveness on our back, he starts to smell.
He throws out the aroma of shame. Of guilt. Of low self-worth.
That monkey likes to choke the hope right on our of our souls, sisters.
Allow me to let us in on a little secret: he isn’t in control. Unless we give him the power to be in control. Then he is.
But HE is in control. He actually always has been.
We’ve just been listening to the wrong voice.
Rewind with me to a time three years ago after an evening of far too many glasses of wine and a group of chatty women who’ve been meeting together for twelve years.
“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.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17
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. It’s way easier to carry.
http://youtu.be/FVa7nheT56Y
That’s all I have to say Natalie. Next week’s worship Wednesday? :) Love this post, I need that reminder as time goes by.