Removing Barriers. Forgive as God Forgives Us
God’s forgiveness brings freedom. Forgiveness combined with love. Re-unites us with Almighty God.
Forgiveness
It’s the hardest thing to give away,
And the last thing on your mind today
It always goes to those that don’t deserve.It’s the opposite of how you feel,
When the pain they caused is just too real
It takes everything you have just to say the word… (Matthew West)
Introduction. Man brought sin into God’s perfect creation. Sin obstructs us from the glory, from the love of God, Himself. Forgiveness, God’s forgiveness tears down the separation.
Almighty God. And He alone. As the One who man has wronged. Can bring into the world His forgiveness. It is God alone who is able to restore mankind to a right and eternal loving relationship with Him.
Forgiveness, God’s true spiritual gift of forgiveness. Washes away each sin. God’s merciful and gracious gift clears our debt. We in and of ourselves are unable to repay Him for our sin. God out of His unceasing love for us. Mercifully, through the sacrificial blood of Jesus. Writes off all debt. God remembers our sin no more.
Scripture Reading: I, I am He,
who blots out your transgressions for My own sake,
and I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43:25, ESV)
An essential part of asking God for His forgiveness. Is admitting you and I are completely undeserving of God’s free gift. There is nothing we can do to earn God’s forgiveness. It is totally undeserved. No matter how hard we try. You and I cannot ever earn God’s forgiveness.
When we ultimately admit to ourselves and to our Father. Forgiveness without God is impossible, without His assistance and His love. Then we turn to our Father in prayer. We unlock our self-made prison of guilt and of shame. We finally break down the barriers obstructing us from a loving relationship with God. We bow our head in a prayer of confession. We ask our Father to forgive all our sins.
It definitely is not a quick and easy fix. But with the strength of God, the Holy Spirit. We shall be free from the guilt, the shame and the power of sin in our lives. With the love of God our Father. All obstructions are torn down. You and I, once more walk in the presence of Almighty God. All our sins are forgiven. Our Heavenly Father has washed us clean once more.
Scripture Reading: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John1:9, ESV)
Now is the time for forgive others. As God, our Father has forgiven us.
Scripture Reading: Lord’s Prayer.
… and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12, ESV)
We have all been hurt. We all need to forgive those who have hurt us. We are all commanded by Almighty God to forgive all people who have wronged us in any way.
Scripture Reading: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)
Forgiving someone who has hurt us deeply is never easy. Then we picture Jesus as He hung in agony on His cross for us.
Scripture Reading: And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide His garments. (Luke 23:34, ESV)
Perhaps if we take a moment and view how very much Jesus loves each of us. See it from His perspective, if we may. A friend, I forget just who. Said to me once. Every sin I commit. To Jesus, is to Him like the Roman soldier hammering in again another nail into His precious wrist or ankle.
Yes, this is how much pain each sin of mine causes my Lord. Yet, Jesus’ love for me is so deep. When I call out for His forgiveness. Each time, without hesitation forgiveness is granted.
Scripture Reading: Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins, against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him. (Luke 17:3–4, ESV)
In Jesus’ beloved and familiar Lord’s prayer. He teaches us all to forgive as God has forgiven us our debts. When we obey Jesus’ command to forgive. The heavy burden of guilt, shame and anger is lifted from our heart. In its place is the peace and love of Jesus our Lord, our Savior. God, our Father has bestowed upon us such incredible mercy and grace.
God’s amazing grace forgives all sins.
Scripture Readings: But by the free gift of God’s grace all are put right with Him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free. (Romans 3:24, GNT)
He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
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. (Psalm 103:10–12, ESV)
I don’t know about you. Every time I hear “Amazing Grace” being sung or played on the bagpipes. My heart sings to Jesus my thanks for the many, many times He has forgiven me. My head bows in a prayer, for the sorrow and the pain I have caused my Lord.
God’s grace and mercy is amazing and without end.
So, when it is our turn to forgive. We remember. We have hurt our Lord more than any one has ever hurt us. So, yes with the love of Jesus. With the strength of God, the Holy Spirit. With the love and mercy and grace of God the Father. We forgive. A thousand times over. We forgive. AMEN!
Now, once more the heavy load of guilt, shame and anger is lifted from our heart. Once more we step into the light of the glory of God. Once more we walk in the loving presence of Almighty God. We forgive. AMEN!
Conclusion. Removing Barriers. Forgive as God Forgives Us. God’s forgiveness brings freedom. Forgiveness combined with love. Re-unites us with Almighty God.
- Man brought sin into God’s perfect creation. Sin obstructs us from the glory, from the love of God, Himself. Forgiveness, God’s forgiveness tears down the separation.
- Now is the time for forgive others. As God, our Father has forgiven us.
- Yes, this is how much pain each sin of mine causes my Lord. Yet, Jesus’ love for me is so deep. When I call out for His forgiveness. Each time, without hesitation forgiveness is granted.
- God’s amazing grace forgives all sins.
If God touched your heart,
please highlight your favorite passages
and leave me a message.
Thank you.
