Tag: <span>forgiven</span>

Forgiveness Opens the Door
Published May 26, 2022

Forgiveness Opens the Door

“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 (LAB)

I’ve pondered these verses. God’s forgiveness of our sins seems to hinge on how we forgive others. Why is this so important?

Forgiveness is like a coin with two sides: the forgiveness each of us needs from God, and the forgiveness we owe to other human beings. They are inseparable. One coin.

Unless we forgive we let bitterness control us. Bitterness is like a plug between me and God; between me and another person. Unless I pull the plug, His forgiveness and love cannot flow. There is no receiving without giving. As we give, it is given unto us. We just cannot have forgiveness in any other way, because that is the way life works.

“But it’s so unfair,” you say.

Yes, life is unfair, but let God handle the unfairness. He’s a God of justice and He’ll look after the unfairness in due time.

Forgiveness is a decision we make not based on feeling.

“God, I want to forgive. Give me the grace to forgive.”  And then, “I do forgive (name) now.”

During the Second World War, Corrie ten Boom had suffered much in a concentration camp. Her father and sister did not survive the brutal treatment. By some fluke, Corrie was released. She spent the rest of her life proclaiming the message of God’s love and forgiveness.

One day after she’d spoken in a small church in Germany, she was at the door shaking hands. A man came down the aisle who looked strangely familiar. With a jolt, Corrie recognized him: he’d been one of the guards at the concentration camp.

“I can’t shake his hand,” Corrie thought, frantically looking for a way of escape.

“Forgive him as I have forgiven you,” Jesus whispered.

“Jesus. Would you do it through me,” she whispered as she lifted her hand.

And with that act, Corrie was free. Free to be the person God wanted her to be.

Dear Jesus, take over my heart so that I will see people as you see them and forgive them as you forgive them.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

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FURTHER READING

God is Thinking about You
God’s Mysterious Ways

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thoughts by Helen Grace Lescheid Thoughts by Women

Guiltless
Published May 22, 2022

Guiltless

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1

I purchased an expensive picture for our bedroom. I had been looking for one since we moved into the house and I had finally found the perfect one. At least, so I thought at the time of the purchase. There was a condition — the sale was final. I could not return it if I didn’t like it.

To my utter dismay, after the picture was delivered and placed on the wall over our bed, I realized I didn’t like it. It didn’t look right in the room — the colors were too vibrant, and the scene was not peaceful. It disturbed me every time I walked into the room.

Now I faced another choice — take it down and store it, or learn to live with it. The worse part wasn’t the picture itself, it was the guilt I felt over what I had paid for it. I was losing sleep because I felt so terrible, as the money could have been better used. For several weeks this feeling of guilt kept gnawing at me as I went about my work.

One day while I was out walking, the Lord brought the promise in Romans 9:1 to mind: “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The light went on! That is right, I thought, I don’t have to walk around with this guilt. I can confess it and Jesus Christ will remove the feelings of guilt. After all, that is why He died.

So I did. I admitted that my purchase was too expensive, and I told God how badly I felt about it and claimed His forgiveness according to 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” My burden of guilt was removed immediately, and in its place joy now filled my life.

Through Christ’s death on the cross, God offers us freedom from guilt. Often, we don’t take the time to analyze our guilty feelings or take the time to admit and confess them, and so we suffer needlessly. Friend, do not suffer in silence. Confess to the Lord and know that He will be faithful to forgive.

Have you experienced Christ’s forgiveness of any guilt you are holding onto.

If you have never walked in a relationship with Christ you can start today by committing and submitting your life to him. You can start this with a simple prayer:

Lord, thank You for dying so we can be set free from all of guilt and sin — no matter how big or small.  Your blood has erased all of our sin. Thank You so much! Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

If you prayed this prayer we would love to hear from you . If you would like to know God deeper we can connect you with an email mentor and/or send you some great links.

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Further Reading

•  How to Know I am Really Saved

•  How to Have a ‘Quiet Time’ with God

•  Salvation Explained

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thoughts by Katherine Kehler Thoughts by Women