Forgiveness

What is the difference between Christians and non-Christians?  The answer to that question is too lengthy to post here, but we can talk about one of the differences.

One difference is simply that we know who to turn to when we do something wrong.

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

It’s not that we don’t sin.   And it’s not that we don’t fail.  Christians do both.  It’s that we know where to go for forgiveness when we do either or both-Jesus.  And we also know where to go for help when we need it ?-  Jesus.

So if we are having a “tough” day, we turn to Jesus, pick ourselves up and begin again.  Because that is what Jesus gives us, a clean slate, a new beginning and the strength to start again.  We just have to accept it.

A word about guilt.  Sometimes it’s far easier to forgive others than it is to forgive ourselves.  We tend to hold onto our guilty “feelings” too long.  When guilty feelings bring us to repentance that is good.  But when guilty feelings weigh us down, it’s not.  Jesus forgives us, but He also wants us to forgive ourselves. We need to give Jesus our guilty feelings as well!

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death”- 2 Cor. 7:10

A last word about guilty “feelings”.  If God has forgiven something, whether it be something that someone else did or something we did, no man (or woman) should refuse to forgive it.  What God has forgiven, let no man hold over anyone for any reason!

“For if God is with us; who can be against us” –Romans 8:31?