Devotions this week based on the Message: “Hope Comes with Secure Relationships”.
Everyone needs forgiveness.
Everyone.
But here’s the challenge:
- I know everyone needs forgiveness, but I’m not willing to forgive the people that wronged me.
- I know everyone needs forgiveness…but hesitate to admit I do.
Our own pride gets in the way of our relationship with others. Even in our marriages, we want our spouse to forgive us and move on, but when we are wronged, we are more willing to remember and bring up the wrong at an appropriate time. We know how amazing it is when our spouse forgives us for wrong that we have done, yet we forget to return the gift when we are wronged.
Perhaps its because we struggle in our own hearts to recognize and admit our sin.
The Apostle John was inspired by God’s Spirit to write this truth:
1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
Everyone needs forgiveness because everyone is sinful. Everyone. You and me included.
Sin breaks the security of a relationship between us and God and us and others. Yet forgiveness is a powerful restoring act that God is willing to give to us. John continues in verse 9.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Forgiveness is given for EVERY sin.
Every one.
The life, death and resurrection of Jesus has been applied to your account as a gift of God’s grace. God willingly gave up the right to punish you for your sins by punishing Jesus for us. As a result, we are credited with the perfection Jesus obtained and the payment Jesus gave on the cross. God no longer treats us as our sins deserve.
So we don’t have to treat others as their sin deserves.
Consider this,
1 John 2:2 Jesus Christ, the Righteous One is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
If Jesus did this for the world, he did it for me. If he did it for me, I can pass that on to others.
When we realize God’s full and complete forgiveness, we can, with God’s help, forgive as we have been forgiven.
Everyone?
Everyone.
Apply: Is there someone who has wronged you in your life? Ask the Lord for power to forgive that person. (Remember forgiving doesn’t mean you will not remember the act, or that the relationship returns to normal…it does mean you give up the right to get even, removing the barrier that sin caused in your relationship. God willing, the relationship can be made secure once again.)
Prayer: Father, forgive us for all our sins. Every one of them. Amen.
Well everyone needs compassion
A love that’s never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations
Savior, he can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever author of Salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
Hillsong “Mighty to Save”