I talk about forgiving a great deal and how important it is for us to act forgiving not just mouth the words. But I haven’t talked about living as forgiven. It is extremely difficult to forgive others and oneself until and unless we walk in our own forgiveness. Sometimes I think we hold onto our behavior and words that we need to seek forgiveness from rather than moving on after we have asked for forgiveness. It is one thing to know we are forgiven, it’s quite another to walk in that forgiveness.
Part of our dilemma, I think, is that we have this little voice in our head that tells us: 1- we really aren’t forgiven, 2- when we repeat the behavior leading to the need for forgiveness that this only proves that we haven’t changed and we are beyond seeking forgiveness, 3- we aren’t worthy of forgiveness. And we each have a voice saying one of those or all or even some other self-damning words. As long as we continue to listen to those voices we are handicapped and stuck in a rut of not acting forgiven. You need to use scripture to defeat those voices.
1 John 1:9 is a verse I am always quoting. The lesson is to listen to it and accept and apply it to our lives. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” End of the matter. But sometimes we believe the voice that says that what we did is so heinous that it is beyond forgiveness. Not so. If, and this is critical point, if we are truly sorry and if we purpose to not repeat the words/behavior – THEN. He is faithful and just to forgive AND to cleanse us. He said it, He will do it. But after, we need to walk and talk and act forgiven.
When Jesus was asked by Peter how often should he forgive an erring brother – 70 times? The Lord answered that we should forgive 70 times 7 meaning always. And isn’t that what we are asking the Father to do – to forgive us even when we repeat the bad behavior/words? When you sin you should run to the Father not away from Him. He knows what you did/said but He still waits for you to seek your forgiveness. But that isn’t the end of the matter. He wants you, me to walk as forgiven. When we do, when we believe and act as forgiven we portray to others the grace and mercy that is afforded to those who earnestly seek Him. If the God of the Universe is willing to forgive then you should still the voices that tell you forgiveness is not for you. Walk, not arrogant or boastful, but confidently forgiven.
