21 In Twenty-One Devotional
Day Nineteen
Prayer Focus: Forgiveness
1 John 1:9 (ESV) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
Isaiah 43:25 (ESV) “I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake and I will not remember your sins”
Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV) “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin!”
Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV) “For if you forgive others their traspasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”
"Sin, transgressions, trespasses, iniquity…” Man! These are intimidating words. Words that, if we dive into them, clearly show us all the ways we need forgiveness and reveal our true need for Jesus as our Savior. And these words are not all created equal. So, let’s dive in just a bit deeper.
The word “sin” is a broad term used to cover all the ways that we fall short of the glory of God. These can be actions we have made of which we are completely unaware. They can also be actions we should have made but didn’t, and because we didn’t, we are guilty. But again, you could be completely unaware. You’ve simply “missed the mark” of God’s standard of holiness. You need forgiveness.
“Transgressions” are the things of which you are fully aware. You tell a lie. You lose your cool and scream at your kids, your spouse, your mom, etc... You know that’s not okay and you do it anyway. Someone cuts you off in traffic and you wave with not all of your fingers, but maybe a selected one of them. No one has to tell you this isn’t Christ like, but you did it anyway. That’s a transgression. You need forgiveness.
“Iniquity” is a rough one. These are those things that you have purposed in your heart you are going to do regardless of the potential consequences. It’s planned out and at the time it’s what you want and nothing can stop you from getting it. Sounds so serious and dirty but we’ve all done it. I have. You have. This is definitely what David was guilty of when he had a very intentional affair with Bathsheba and then very intentionally had her husband murdered. David needed forgiveness. You need forgiveness too.
Before you start to feel too heavy under the weight of your sin, allow me to remind you that if you’ll simply confess your sin, God is faithful and just to forgive. Keep in mind that God is a good Father who loves you enough to give His son for you. He promises to forgive if you’ll just ask. If you confess, He freely forgives once and for all. That truth should be the most heart freeing knowledge of your day, your week, and your life! Do you think God gets angry at you when you sin? If God is truly all knowing, that means he knows your past, present, and future sins. If He were going to get angry at you for your sin, He would never stop being angry. And we are told over and over again that God is patient, loving, grace and mercy giving. We’re even told it's His KINDNESS that leads us to repentance! Run home to your Father and fall into His grace and mercy and experience what He has promised.
But that’s not all!
Along with God offering you His forgiveness, you are REQUIRED to extend that forgiveness to others. Have you been hurt? Have you been wronged? Have you been abused or taken advantage of? Forgiveness does not let your offender off the hook of their responsibility. It simply allows you to let yourself off the hook from living your life full of bitterness. Forgiveness isn’t necessarily for them. It’s for you. And God has not suggested that you forgive others. He has commanded it. If God can forgive you and show you unlimited grace, love, and mercy for the things you are guilty of, he will empower you to forgive and show that same grace and you WILL be freed from the prison of bitterness.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you! Thank you for offering your forgiveness. Help me to accept that forgiveness. I know that you cast our sins as far as the east is from the west, but the memory of my sin is so close to me right now. Push the truth of your love and forgiveness into the deepest parts of my heart and help me to extend that everyone else. Help me to love people as much as you love people. God, your love is unfathomable and amazing to me.Thank you for forgiving me. Amen!
Don’t Stop There! You also must forgive yourself! It’s so easy to live feeling guilty about the mistakes you’ve made. That’s simply a tool that the enemy uses to keep you from being effective in your walk with Christ. Let go! Forgive yourself. Be honest with God about those feelings. He knows anyway. But if the God and creator of the universe is willing to offer you forgiveness, who are we to put ourselves above God to not forgive ourselves. Accept His forgiveness. Forgive others. Forgive yourself. Change the world!
I love you all,
Dustin Doyle
Isaiah 43:25 (ESV) “I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake and I will not remember your sins”
Psalm 51:1-2 (ESV) “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin!”
Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV) “For if you forgive others their traspasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you”
"Sin, transgressions, trespasses, iniquity…” Man! These are intimidating words. Words that, if we dive into them, clearly show us all the ways we need forgiveness and reveal our true need for Jesus as our Savior. And these words are not all created equal. So, let’s dive in just a bit deeper.
The word “sin” is a broad term used to cover all the ways that we fall short of the glory of God. These can be actions we have made of which we are completely unaware. They can also be actions we should have made but didn’t, and because we didn’t, we are guilty. But again, you could be completely unaware. You’ve simply “missed the mark” of God’s standard of holiness. You need forgiveness.
“Transgressions” are the things of which you are fully aware. You tell a lie. You lose your cool and scream at your kids, your spouse, your mom, etc... You know that’s not okay and you do it anyway. Someone cuts you off in traffic and you wave with not all of your fingers, but maybe a selected one of them. No one has to tell you this isn’t Christ like, but you did it anyway. That’s a transgression. You need forgiveness.
“Iniquity” is a rough one. These are those things that you have purposed in your heart you are going to do regardless of the potential consequences. It’s planned out and at the time it’s what you want and nothing can stop you from getting it. Sounds so serious and dirty but we’ve all done it. I have. You have. This is definitely what David was guilty of when he had a very intentional affair with Bathsheba and then very intentionally had her husband murdered. David needed forgiveness. You need forgiveness too.
Before you start to feel too heavy under the weight of your sin, allow me to remind you that if you’ll simply confess your sin, God is faithful and just to forgive. Keep in mind that God is a good Father who loves you enough to give His son for you. He promises to forgive if you’ll just ask. If you confess, He freely forgives once and for all. That truth should be the most heart freeing knowledge of your day, your week, and your life! Do you think God gets angry at you when you sin? If God is truly all knowing, that means he knows your past, present, and future sins. If He were going to get angry at you for your sin, He would never stop being angry. And we are told over and over again that God is patient, loving, grace and mercy giving. We’re even told it's His KINDNESS that leads us to repentance! Run home to your Father and fall into His grace and mercy and experience what He has promised.
But that’s not all!
Along with God offering you His forgiveness, you are REQUIRED to extend that forgiveness to others. Have you been hurt? Have you been wronged? Have you been abused or taken advantage of? Forgiveness does not let your offender off the hook of their responsibility. It simply allows you to let yourself off the hook from living your life full of bitterness. Forgiveness isn’t necessarily for them. It’s for you. And God has not suggested that you forgive others. He has commanded it. If God can forgive you and show you unlimited grace, love, and mercy for the things you are guilty of, he will empower you to forgive and show that same grace and you WILL be freed from the prison of bitterness.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you! Thank you for offering your forgiveness. Help me to accept that forgiveness. I know that you cast our sins as far as the east is from the west, but the memory of my sin is so close to me right now. Push the truth of your love and forgiveness into the deepest parts of my heart and help me to extend that everyone else. Help me to love people as much as you love people. God, your love is unfathomable and amazing to me.Thank you for forgiving me. Amen!
Don’t Stop There! You also must forgive yourself! It’s so easy to live feeling guilty about the mistakes you’ve made. That’s simply a tool that the enemy uses to keep you from being effective in your walk with Christ. Let go! Forgive yourself. Be honest with God about those feelings. He knows anyway. But if the God and creator of the universe is willing to offer you forgiveness, who are we to put ourselves above God to not forgive ourselves. Accept His forgiveness. Forgive others. Forgive yourself. Change the world!
I love you all,
Dustin Doyle
Recent
Archive
2021
January
21 in Twenty-One Devotional21 in Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 in Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional21 In Twenty-One Devotional
No Comments