Tuesday, May 1, 2012

the ways GOD forgives…

some of you say, “there’s something in my life i know is wrong.  i regretted it from the moment i did it.  and i’ve asked GOD over and over and over to forgive me.  every time i think about it i still ask HIM to forgive me.  but i don’t feel forgiven.”

what’s the problem?  what is the problem with that?

the problem is not GOD.  the problem is you don’t understand the ways GOD forgives. 

 so how does GOD forgive?

well for one, GOD forgives me instantly.  HE forgives me instantly, the moment that i ask.  there is no hesitation.  there is no delay.  GOD forgives instantly. 

the bible tells us in isaiah 55.7 (gnt), let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking.  let them turn to the LORD our GOD.  HE is merciful and quick to forgive.  HE is quick to forgive.  the moment you ask, without delay, GOD forgives. 

we have a hard time understanding this.  as human beings this is the exact opposite of how we often forgive.  we’re often slow to forgive. 

we like to hold it over people’s heads a little bit.  if someone asks us to forgive them we say, “i’ll think about it.”  we wait a little bit to forgive because the truth is we want them to suffer a little bit first before we forgive them.  we want them to beg a little bit.  we want them to grovel.  we want them to suffer.  we want to rub it in just little bit before we forgive them.  we don’t want to let them off that easy. 

but GOD is always quick to forgive.  the moment you and i go to HIM, HE forgives us that instant.  HE never holds it over our head.  HE’s perfect.  that’s how GOD forgives us.  HE never makes us wait. 

1 john 1.9 (gnt), if we confess our sins to GOD HE will keep HIS promise and do what is right.  HE will forgive us our sins and make purify us from all our wrongdoing. 

so how long should a believer feel guilty?  i’d say about fifteen seconds!  that’s about how long it takes for you to realize “i’ve sinned.  i’ve done something that’s hurt not only my heart and the people around me but the heart of GOD.”  take it to GOD, confess it to GOD and release it to GOD. 

just a thought from the front porch…

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