{"id":194197,"date":"2024-11-13T04:19:41","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T10:19:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prayingpint.com\/?p=194197"},"modified":"2024-08-26T05:25:37","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T10:25:37","slug":"53-a-joshua-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prayingpint.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/13\/53-a-joshua-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Billy Grahram – Devotion"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u201cI, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.\u201d\u00a0\u2014Isaiah 43:25<\/p>\n

\u201cBlessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. \u2026 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, \u2018I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,\u2019 and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.\u201d\u00a0\u2014Psalm 32:1\u20132, 5<\/p>\n

\u201cJesus said, \u2018Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.\u2019\u201d\u00a0\u2014Luke 23:34<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Forgiveness can be an emotion-laden word, perhaps because it is at the foundation of all our relationships\u2014with God, with others, and with ourselves.<\/p>\n

God\u2019s Forgiveness<\/strong><\/p>\n

When we have fallen into deep sin, it can be difficult to understand why or how God could forgive us. But the Bible assures us that God is willing to forgive our sin when we have submitted our lives to Jesus Christ. In 1 John 1:9 we read,\u00a0\u201cIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Billy Graham has said, \u201cGod\u2019s forgiveness is not just a casual statement; it is the complete blotting out of all the dirt and degradation of our past, present, and future. The only reason our sins can be forgiven is that, on the cross, Jesus Christ paid their full penalty. [But] only as we bow at the foot of the cross, in contrition, confession, and repentance, can we find forgiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n

What must we do to receive God\u2019s forgiveness?<\/p>\n

Repent.<\/strong>\u00a0This means owning up to what we have done\u2014and turning away from our sin:\u00a0\u201cFor I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight\u201d\u00a0<\/em>(Psalm 51:3\u20134, ESV).<\/p>\n

Ask for forgiveness.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cFor Your name\u2019s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great\u201d<\/em>\u00a0(Psalm 25:11).<\/p>\n

Remission.<\/strong>\u00a0Like a debt that has been covered by someone else, the penalty for our sins was paid by Jesus.\u00a0\u201cThis is My blood \u2026 which is shed for many for the remission of sins\u201d<\/em>\u00a0(Matthew 26:28).<\/p>\n

Purification.<\/strong>\u00a0The very essence of forgiveness is that we are totally cleansed from our sins.\u00a0\u201cWash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. \u2026 Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me\u201d<\/em>\u00a0(Psalm 51:7, 9\u201310).<\/p>\n

Reconciliation.<\/strong>\u00a0When God forgives, we may still suffer consequences for our sin. But through forgiveness, the separation between us and a Holy God is bridged, and we can then enjoy God\u2019s complete love, acceptance, and friendship. God is always in the business of\u00a0\u201creconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespass against them\u201d\u00a0<\/em>(2 Corinthians 5:19, ESV).<\/p>\n

Forgiving Yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n

You may be dealing with guilt and fearful feelings from your past. Bondage to the past prevents you from experiencing freedom in the present. This is not God\u2019s will for you; He desires that you experience abundant life (see John 10:10)!<\/p>\n

The secret to forgiving yourself is found in accepting God\u2019s forgiveness for you. When you are tempted to look back on your past sins and condemn yourself, remember how God Himself thinks of you:\u00a0\u201cI will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more\u201d\u00a0<\/em>(Jeremiah 31:34).<\/p>\n

Forgiving Others<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Colossians 3:13 says,\u00a0\u201cBearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

At times, we may not \u201cfeel\u201d like forgiving those who hurt us; however, forgiving is a choice, not a feeling. God is grieved and angered by our sins (see Psalm 7:11), yet He chooses to forgive us. We must do the same with each other. Matthew 6:14\u201315 says,\u00a0\u201cFor if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

When you choose to forgive those who have wronged you, you are not saying that what they did was right; neither are you excusing their sin. Instead you are releasing them to God and letting Him deal with their offense. You are no longer holding their sin against them.<\/p>\n

The Danger of Unforgiveness<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If the choice to forgive seems too painful, consider that the alternative\u2014not forgiving\u2014will bring you infinitely more pain. Unforgiveness creates a barrier in your relationships with others and with God; it can lead to depression, burnout, physical problems, broken relationships, and bitterness.<\/p>\n

God commands us to forgive others because He loves us. He wants you to experience the immense freedom and joy that come from forgiving, instead of the pain and bitterness that unforgiveness brings.<\/p>\n

Moving Forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n