The Power of Forgiveness: A Lesson Learned
Sometimes, life’s most valuable lessons come from our darkest moments. I recently experienced one such moment when thoughtless words slipped out of my mouth, leaving a trail of hurt and unrest in their wake. The weight of my mistake was crushing, and I knew I had to take responsibility for my actions.
Seeking Forgiveness
I turned to God, asking for His forgiveness and guidance. But I knew that wasn’t enough. I needed to make amends with the person I had hurt. With a heavy heart, I picked up the phone and asked for their forgiveness. The response was a balm to my soul: “Yes, 100%.” In that moment, I was struck by the finality of my apology being accepted.
The Depth of God’s Forgiveness
As I reflected on God’s forgiveness, I began to wonder: what does it mean to be forgiven? Do we need to ask for forgiveness repeatedly for every mistake? Is faultless behavior required to maintain God’s favor? I turned to Colossians 1:21-22, where I found the answer: “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.”
The Gift of Reconciliation
Our holy God, who is wronged by our actions and the state of our hearts, knows we need reproof. Yet, through Christ, He presents us to Himself with no stain on our record and no accusation against us. We are far from worthy of this standing, but it is ours through our union with Christ in His blameless life and perfect death in our place.
A Final and Complete Forgiveness
Is forgiveness through Christ final? Yes, 100%! It’s a gift that frees us from the burden of guilt and shame. May we never take this gift for granted, but instead, allow it to transform our lives, making us more like our Savior.
A Prayer of Gratitude
Father, thank You for this amazing truth. May we never dishonor You by accepting our standing cheaply. Cause our lives to grow into the likeness of our position in Your Son. In His Name, we ask. Amen.
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