Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the LORD. So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! [Psalm 32]
If we are not forgiven, then life is miserable in every way.
According to Jesus, the way to be forgiven is to repent:
It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [Luke 24.47]
There is an important principle to be seen about repentance however! Repentance is an action of humility. Humility places the needs of others above our own. What is the single greatest need of any and every person? Forgiveness. That is precisely why Jesus ALSO made clear the New Covenant way to repent:
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. [Matthew 6.14-15]
Repentance is akin to forgiveness. The unforgiving person disqualifies himself for being forgiven. See the relationship?
Regardless whether or not I explain it correctly here, the importance of repentance and forgiveness must be studied in depth by anyone who would be a child of God.
Just to ask God to forgive our transgressions falls short of blessing. Forgiveness is not something we simply ask for in repentance, but something we do in forgiving others. Forgiving is Jesus' business!
In our modern culture of utter self-centeredness, this principle is almost entirely lost. It is no wonder then that the Church suffers the 'wasting away of the body' and the 'groaning all day' Psalm 32 speaks of.
One might consider this: Jesus cried out on the Cross, "Father, forgive them..." (Luke 23.34) From that action, Jesus experienced the ultimate restoration of life and health! He rose from the dead!
Are we wasting away? We should try forgiving others!
Father, help us to not only understand the principle of repentance through forgiveness, but to exercise it to its fullest!
No comments:
Post a Comment