The Grace of Forgiveness

The Grace of Forgiveness

Good Morning Friends,

Maybe you know someone who has gone through or is going through the 12 Step Program of AA. Today we look at the scripture behind Step Eight and the tension of asking others we have harmed for forgiveness being willing to make restitution. Now you may be thinking, least said soonest mended, and oh sometimes there is wisdom in that, but if you contemplate the situation perhaps you can become willing to live a life guided by principles rather than by shame or fear. I pray you have the courage to receive The Grace of Forgiveness.

Scripture: Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Matthew 6:12 (NIV)

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. [Selah] Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. [Selah] Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. [Selah] I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Psalm 32:1-11 (NRSV)

“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’

Matthew 18:32-33 (NIV)

Message: An amazing adventure awaits those willing to relate with a new heart to ourselves, others, and to life. But getting ready to contribute peace to the world rather than add contention is not easy. The effects of sin and forgiveness are before us each day. They are brought into focus when we realize that guilt cools our confidence. Guilt freezes our relationships. Guilt keeps us stuck in the cold past. We are depraved sinful creatures…. But then there is the hope of repentance and the offering of forgiveness. The theologian Augustine had today’s psalm engraved on his bedroom wall. When he was on his death bed he instructed others to recite it for him. The words are very important. The psalm is a teaching psalm. David, the author, wants us to pay particular attention to our need for forgiveness. Friends, some words are designed to deny the Spirit and should never be spoken, others lift Jesus up glorified and are meant to be shared as forgiveness and healing. Friends, we are to live by faith in the Lord, not in fear of what others might do.

Pray that even though we are sinful we have a heart of repentance. Pray we ask Jesus to help us. Pray that in our struggle we fight against sin. Pray that we are able to prove we are sincere when it comes to asking for forgiveness.  Pray we embrace God’s invitation and submit to God’s leadership but realize we must also conquer the crisis in our own hearts and minds.
Pray that those who grow cold find warmth in the amazing forgiveness and healing of God. Pray that people carrying the burden of guilt in the winter of life be given the blanket of believing in your forgiveness to warm their spirit. Pray we repent. Pray we repent. Pray we repent. Pray we thank God for bearing our sins. Pray God make us into the person we were designed to be.

Blessings,

John Lawson