I was talking with a friend recently and somehow the conversation turned to regrets.  People have a tendency to hold on to regrets, shame and guilt.  (If you doubt this, read through the Psalms.)  So, it seems appropriate to add a third part to the forgiveness series: Seeking Forgiveness, Forgiving (Father, Forgive Us as We Forgive…), and now: Forgiven.

Where does guilt come from?  Usually from doing something wrong.  It’s our conscience telling us that we need to seek forgiveness and do what is good and loving.  All of us sin.  All of us experience guilt, but we don’t need to live in guilt and dwell on past sins.  Christ did not come to condemn us, Christ came to set us free.  (Jn 3:17)  I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  You can be confident that when you ask God for forgiveness, you are forgiven!  We live under God’s grace and God chooses not to remember our sin. (Hebrews 8:12)

Do you remember the last time you said you were sorry and someone told you you were forgiven?  How did you feel?  Relieved?  Joyful?  Overwhelmed?  Loved?  Grateful?   Instead of dwelling on your past sin and feelings of guilt, dwell on how it feels to be a freely forgiven child of God.  Live into this truth and let it shine through you.  You are forgiven!

Read Romans 8:1-2 and Hebrews 8:10-12, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Annie

Today’s Readings: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:1-2

and
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+8%3A10-12&version=NRSV

A beautiful song about being Forgiven: