It happened again.
I woke up, put water on for tea, thought just while the water boils, sat down at the computer, and got lost.
When I found myself, the water had cooled down again and the children were awake. No quiet time for me. No bible reading, no scripture study, no singing or praying.
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15
The small sins, they pile up. The selfishness, the letting things slide, the I’ll-just-have-one-more greed. But the Spirit convicts… I recognize my guilt. And then confession must come.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Miraculously, there is no condemnation…
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Because although I am convicted, I am not condemned. Freed because Jesus took the sentence for me. He paid the fine, served the time. Gave me the gift of forgiveness.
But… do I live it? Do I live free? He does forgive, when I confess.
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
But do I accept His forgiveness? If I grieve over my sin and focus relentlessly on my own brokenness, what energy do I have left to look at Him?
Choosing to live burdened by guilt is wrong-headed. It is believing badly.
Of course I am guilty. But to wallow in the guilt? Who am I to reject that forgiveness? Who am I to put myself above God, to wear the mantle of accusation, to act as one condemned?
“I think that if God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him.” C. S. Lewis
If a girl is paying attention to His Spirit she is convicted of her sin. But a girl who has asked for forgiveness has received it, and she is not condemned, thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice on her behalf.
But what of the girl who hangs her head and whispers, “What I have done is too bad for God to forgive.”
Believing better means understanding that it’s not about what you have done. It’s about Him. About His faithfulness, His righteousness. Not. Yours.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
He is faithful. He is righteous.
We confess… we are forgiven. No caveats or disclaimers or as-long-as-it-wasn’t-too-serious.
Forgiveness, grace… a gift from the Lord Jesus Christ to us each…
For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17
In humility, with thanksgiving, I receive the gift of forgiveness. I do not deserve it, which is why I must receive it as a gift. It is the gift that frees me to walk in love, joyfully living my days even seeing my own brokenness.
photo by asenat29
This is so good, Patti.
Incredible truths, and so hard to let sink into our brains. Thankful for what He has done for us!
“Believing better means understanding that it’s not about what you have done. It’s about Him. About His faithfulness, His righteousness. Not. Yours.” This is profound. The truth of this is so subtle, but so foundational.
That is what struck me, too, Sandy. It shifts the focus from what I have or have not done to HIM!
Thank you Patti! I hear alot from my pastor about brokenness and repentance, sometimes that message of freedom and forgiveness gets lost in this girls brain! It is indeed all about Him! My Abba’s faithfulness, when I am faithless. My Abba’s righteousness, in the midst of my unrighteousness. And His gentle tender voice calling me back to Him, away from my sin that breaks covenant relationship with Him.
Thank you for your honesty Patti! I do this SO often, and I needed to be reminded that I am forgiven (and not cling on to that darn guilt that keeps me from being thank-full, joy-full, grace-full. I fall into that “just until” or “just for a minute” all TOO often, and soon a whole day is wasted, or week…
And the guilt compounds until I read something like this to release me and begin again! His Mercies Are New Every Morning. (or in my case, moment)…