“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” -- Romans 5:8-11
Lord, thank you that I am fully forgiven and blameless in your sight because of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. Thank you for choosing to love me and pursue me while I still saw you as my enemy. I praise you for reconciling me to yourself by the death of your son and saving the world that you so love with his life.
Sometimes it is hard for me to remember that this is the truth. I struggle to forgive myself when I mess up and it is easy to see my constant shortcomings. As David says in Psalm 51:3, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.” Forgive me for thinking that my mistakes are more powerful than the blood of Jesus that washes me clean. “For godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10
Psalm 103:12 declares “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” You promise that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank you that this is my reality! I choose to allow repentance and your merciful forgiveness to do their full work in my life.
“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.” – Matthew 18:21-22
Lord, I confess there have been many times where it has been difficult for me to forgive. Help me to live a life of receiving your forgiveness and extending it to others, even when it is painful.
When I have been deeply wronged, help me to choose to forgive as you have forgiven me. Show me your perspective when I am hurt by others and guard my heart from offense. Help me to be alert to when I may be tempted to withhold forgiveness.
Proverbs 17:9 says “love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” Teach me to extend your love that forgives faults, even in the face of true injustice. I choose to live in forgiveness.
In Jesus name,
Amen.