Our Lord gives forgiveness freely, but feeling truly forgiven sometimes comes much harder.    We may have hurt those around us, even people who loved us.  The years have passed and we think those matters have been buried long ago.  Yet the persistent guilt continues to surface. In quiet moments it returns, sometimes it colors our dreams.  If only we could go back and say I’m sorry, but it’s too late.    It seems like a trap.  We repent, but it’s so hard to feel forgiven.

If you’ve ever experienced this, you may choose to look at Romans 8:1 with me.  “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  The verse reminds us that believers once forgiven are no longer under condemnation.  It encourages us to embrace the freedom that comes with God’s grace.

Yes, we are so sorry that we behaved as we did.  And we can’t go back for a “do-over.”  We can only go forward, accepting the fact that we are sinners, but believing that God’s forgiveness is more powerful than our sin.  I AM FORGIVEN!  Say it, shout it, feel it, share it.  Then feel the freedom from guilt and go forward.  We can live in the fullness of God’s Grace.

Judy