God’s Forgiveness

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7-8 -  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence.

God, I don’t want to abuse Your Grace.  God, I need it every day.

It’s the only thing that makes me want to change (Holy Water)

Have you ever felt so ashamed by an act you committed that as soon as you realized what you did was wrong, you had to stop immediately and beg the Lord for forgiveness? Has hearing a sermon, reading a scripture, or hearing the truth about something opened your eyes to your sin? That is called spiritual conviction. The Lord has a way of making things so clear that we can’t help but to repent, to cry out saying, “I’m so sorry, Lord! Please forgive me!” It is this breaking that changes hearts, restores relationships (w/God), and promotes growth.

Many times, we take forgiveness for granted; failing to forgive while expecting forgiveness. Although, our forgiveness of those who have wronged us is for our well-being it is completely spiritual, has to be sought after and can not happen without the Holy Spirit. What better way to understand the healing power of forgiveness then by recognizing how God’s forgiveness of our sins have restored us. Think back to when you were dead in your trespasses. Think back to when you were a slave to sin. Do you remember when Jesus came into your life; when you were falling apart even though to others you may have appeared to have it all together? Do you remember how Jesus reached into your mess and clean it all up? The writers of “Holy Water” sung by Tasha Cobb and We the Kingdom describe forgiveness so eloquently. The song says:

Your forgiveness

It’s like sweet, sweet honey on my lips

It’s like the sound of a symphony to my ears

It’s like Holy water on my skin

Prayer: Dear Lord, we are so unworthy of Your love. Despite our failures you continue to love us. When we fall, You pick us up. When we backslide, You show us mercy. Thank you, Lord for Your dedication toward us, for the grace and mercy given to us, and for forgiving us over and over again. Psalms 32:1 says; blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven; whose sins are covered. As sinners saved by grace, we are truly blessed that You chose us, that You sacrificed Your only Son for us, and then courted us so that we could be heirs to Your throne. There is nothing we could have done to deserve such favor. Lord, You are awesome. You are wonderful. You are marvelous and Your love for us overflows. Lord, forgive us for taking You for granted, for not forgiving others but expecting forgiveness from others, and for the times we don’t represent You well. Thank for Your Son, Jesus the Christ, who died and rose so that we might live. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

(by Patricia Towns)