September 22 – You Are FOR-GIVEN

2:265: You Are For-Given

#faithbites #faithjourney #redletterchallenge #for-given

We’ve talked about how I’m a big ole hot mess. That no matter what I try to do, I still sin. I hurt people, I do what I don’t want to. As we enter the week of Forgiveness, I’m trying to forgive myself for the pains I have caused others.

Jesus’s forgiveness is complete, turning us white as snow. It’s important to know what it really means. For (from Old English) means completely and to give (from Old English giefan) which means to give, grant, allow, remit (a debt), pardon (an offense).

So when we are forgiven it means to completely (as in permanently) erase a debt or pardon an offense. It doesn’t mean to hold on to it. Nor does it mean that you can bring it up later to hurt someone. It is gone. White as snow.

Scripture
  • “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. – Isaiah 1:18
  • “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” – Mark 1:15
Reflection

Here’s the deal. We are told to repent and believe the Good News. That Good News is that Jesus died for us. He took away our sins, bridge the divide with our father, and made us white as snow. As we know the cost for sin is death. (Romans 6:23).

Here’s the funny thing. If we repent, we are forgiven. That’s it. But we don’t accept Jesus’s forgiveness as washing us clean as snow. Nor do we forgive others like that. We hold onto grudges even though we say “I forgive you, or “you are forgiven”.

Remeber. For-Given: it is a complete, permanent remittance and erasure of debt. It is over. Let it go.

This is hard. I am weighed down by my past sins. My grudges. This is a time to let them go. Are you ready to truly forgive and be forgiven?

Challenge

Let it go. Accept the forgiveness. You can’t correct it. It is gone. When someone wrongs you and seeks forgiveness, give it truly. It is gone. When you are forgiven, accept it. It is gone. Harboring it weighs you down. You are forgiven.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you for making us pure, reconciled with God, and redeemed. Heal our hearts to truly accept your forgiveness. We know the thief comes to kill and destroy (John 10:10). Remind us he has no power over us. You are our light, salvation, and redeemer. In your name, Amen.

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