How To Live Forgiven

Forgiveness; it’s one of the main tenants of the Christian faith, the reason Christ came down to earth, at the very heart of the gospel, Good News incarnate. And yet, how easily do we forget this basic principle when we stumble in our walk with God?

Purify, not penalize

The second step is to get rid of wrong thinking. We have this idea in our heads that discipline is always a negative thing – a direct result of bad behavior, or not living up to an expectation. In reality, the most loving thing God can do is to show us the error of our ways. As Hebrews 12:6 says,”The Lord disciplines him whom he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” If God knew we were sinning, hurting ourselves and others, and did nothing, that would not be a good and gracious God. Sometimes our sin comes with earthly consequences, and while our eternity is secure because of the blood of Christ, there are still facts to face on this side of heaven. We are in a constant state of purification, and sometimes it still hurts. Keep trusting that God is shaping you more and more into his image!

let go of shame

Dear Christian, if you struggle with the weight of guilt and shame, rest today in this truth: If you have confessed your sin to the only Being with the absolute ability to forgive and heal you, than you can victoriously claim the promise found in Psalm 103 – For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Paul emphasizes the importance of letting go of the past, and looking forward to living well in the present and the future in Philippians 3 – “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Press on!

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