“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” – (Psalm 32:1-2 via Romans 4:7-8)
There is refreshment found in forgiveness. We can carry our mistakes with us for so long, they become forever attached to our conscience. The judge in our head criticizes and condemns incessantly. To many of us, this is justice – being forever reminded of our past sins, as if by us continuing to suffer for them will make Christ love us more. But in our perverted reality, when we choose to carry such sin around, we supplant Christ’s role as savior and attempt to add on to His already finished work at the cross. Sure, on Sunday’s we sing of the freedom purchased from such sin, and on some days we may even believe it, but on the inside is unresolved guilt and the self-punishment that comes from an unreconciled heart. In this twisted spirit, a personalized hell on Earth is created and lived. We go about our days as those already tried, condemned, and punished without letting the Word of grace have a say.
If the work of Christ is anything, it is resolved. If not, then He was just an ordinary criminal who died for no particular reason or principle. But as redeemer, He has kinetically transferred the sin you did, are doing, and will do into a final resting place unseen and unmarked. If He will not count it, He will not keep record of it. The Lord only requires a contrite and broken heart for such forgiveness. If we are to live as His disciples, we must learn to make amends and then let go in radical steps of favor from our ridiculously forgiving Creator.
Today, take a moment to forgive yourself. If you still have unsettled business, make amends, then move on. Know that the judge in your mind speaks not for your savior. Your Creator has spoken grace to your sin and keeps no record of it once repented.
Take a courageous step towards freedom, toward the cross, and towards unconditional forgiveness.
Matt simon blog 