Lighthouse Renewal Center ã 2003
FORGIVE, LET’S FACE IT
Susan was very unkind to Bill, and she
soon realized it. She went back to Bill.
“I’m sorry I hurt you, Bill,
I ask for your forgiveness,” said Susan.
“Oh, forget it. That’s all
right.”
That’s the wrong answer,
Bill. The correct answer is, “I forgive
you.”
So, let’s try that again.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you, Bill,
I ask for your forgiveness.”
“I forgive you, Susan.”
Had Susan accepted Bill’s “Oh
that’s all right, forget it,” the effects of the sin would
remain unresolved inside Bill, and both Susan and Bill would continue to feel
the strain in their relationship. We need to forgive, and say so.
When we tell God, “Lord, I goofed,”
His reply is not, “That’s all right.” Were He to answer us, He would
be honest, “You’re right. You did goof.”
God does not excuse, He does not
perfume our sin with some form of “Forget it,” or “It really wasn’t
anything,” or “You couldn’t help it.” He calls sin,
“sin!” If we admit our sin to Him and ask for forgiveness, He
will gladly forgive us. If we don’t ask, our sin remains.
We name it: “Lord, I have
sinned (in this way).”
We claim it: “It’s my fault,
Lord.”
We disdain it: “Lord, I ask
for Your forgiveness.”
We accept it (forgiveness):
“Thank you, Lord, for forgiving me.”