Sunday, March 3, 2024
“Seek God’s Forgiveness”
Why should one consider to Seek God’s Forgiveness? Two primary reasons.
First, we did “it.” We did something wrong. We don’t like to think about it. If we could take it back, we would. We’ve been able to move on just fine, pretending that it didn’t happen. Life has continued and we’re still in a good place, but behind all the glitz and glamor is a man or woman of God who is trapped by sin.
Second, God offers forgiveness for whatever “it” might be. For the most part, I think most of us recognize that God forgives a lot of things, but somewhere exists a list in our heads of things that God won’t forgive. Within our list is at least one thing that we’re afraid God won’t forgive, so we’ve avoided it and found that life can continue, despite having an unforgiven wrong embedded within our hearts.
Today is the day to let go of some wrongs we committed and have not reconciled with God. Oh, we don’t have to be a real “Churchy” person to seek God’s forgiveness. One only needs to trust in the LORD and recognize that God loves us.
Now, if those reading this are already Godly, Faithful people, then there might not be something glaring in our lives that needs forgiveness. If so, this isn’t for us. We already have everything under control, traveling the correct path and keeping God as our guide and helper. We don’t need God’s Forgiveness today, do we? (Yes, I’m being a little bit salty. All of us need God’s forgiveness!)
Instead, this Lenten Challenge is for those of us who are engaged in an intensive battle within our hearts, sometimes wondering if God exists. Yet that is precisely why Jesus came into this world: He came to give us evidence that God cares deeply for each of us.
God didn’t come into this world to save the people who are already perfect. The LORD came to give evidence of His Forgiveness for everyone so that everyone can make their own decision of whether to seek God or not. The LORD is smiling, not because we don’t need the help, but because God loves helping us. Like a parent teaching their child how to walk, God will be right next to us as we stand and begin to take that first step into a big, beautiful world.
The time for avoiding it is over! Let God be God and allow you to be you! Seek God’s Forgiveness!
“If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NRSV)
