You Are Forgiven (ESV)

While there are various levels of forgiveness that can apply to a wide range of situations, forgiveness is basically accepting the flaws of another individual. Have you ever needed to be forgiven? Acknowledging that you need forgiveness is admitting that you have flaws. These include shortcomings in your character that may be purposeful, habitual, or careless mistakes. Have you needed to forgive others? It’s always easier to point out the flaws in someone else. No one is perfect. While we desire the very best in everyone, we still should leave room for people to be human. Why is it so hard to forgive? Knowing that you make mistakes also is never enough evidence to forgive someone who has wronged you. As a matter a fact, often times we can’t even forgive ourselves for making mistakes, so forgiving someone else may seem impossible. Did you know that you are forgiven? Imagine total forgiveness. Every flaw, every past mistake, every future failure completely covered. Forgiveness is that kind of warm embrace. God says that He will accept you anyway, no matter what — as you are. Forgiveness isn’t foolish. It doesn’t ignore that change is necessary, but it demonstrates love regardless of everything. How can you forgive like that? Recognizing that you are in need and a recipient of forgiveness is the first step toward forgiving someone else. Know that you are forgiven and free past mistakes, then free yourself even more by forgiving someone else. God doesn’t want you to bare the burden of your sin. He forgives you. Let us follow the example of Christ. Dear God, Thank you for forgiving me. Give me the strength to forgive others. Amen WHAT IF GOD FORGAVE? God knows that we make mistakes and stands ready to forgive us: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all un- righteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:9-10 There are consequences for our actions, but God still extends mercy to us: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ro- mans 6:23 God took our consequence of death, so that we could live: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 He loves us: For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Psalm 86:13 BE BLESSED!!