Forgiveness is about letting go of any resentment, vengeance, or judgmental attitude toward an offender and pursuing reconciliation. It is an important part of establishing relationships. The reason we have an intimate relationship with God is because He has forgiven us of all the sins that we have done through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus and reconciled us to Himself. God chose not to remember our past sins, so when God forgives us, we are completely forgiven. He does not use our past wrongdoings and sins against us, regardless of how many times we fail. We do not need to carry our guilt and shame because God has completely forgiven us. Our relationship with Him is completely restored. 1 John 1:9 says this, "If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." It is a great feeling and a blessing to know that God has forgiven us completely. Psalm 65:3 says, "Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all."
No matter what we have done in the past, God can forgive us if we come to Him humbly and confess our sins. Confessing our sins includes turning away from sins. We cannot be sincere about confessing our sins to God if we are not willing to change. When David acknowledged all his sins to God and turned away from them, God immediately forgave him, but the consequences of his sins remain. As God forgives us of our sins, He wants us also to forgive those who have wronged us. We must forgive all those people who have hurt and taken advantage of us. If we still have resentment towards others, it means that we have not completely forgiven them.
God forgives us of our sins so that we can forgive those who wrong and hurt us. If we recently sin, let us not live in guilt and shame. Let us confess our sins to God immediately and receive His forgiveness. And if someone offended us, let us forgive them right away. Let us not hold grudges or resentments. We can surrender all their offenses at the feet of our Lord Jesus and pursue love and reconciliation.
Ask yourself these questions for application: (Think through carefully, meditate on the questions while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) How do I receive God's forgiveness? What should I do if someone offended me? Why is it important to be forgiven by God and forgive those who offended me?
Write down all the worries you face today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I confess all my sins to you. Please forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Thank you for forgiving me. I also forgive those who have offended me and surrender to you the offenses that they have caused me. I pray all these things in the name of my Lord Jesus. Amen.
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