The actual concept of forgiveness is too big to tackle here in this small space. Instead, I hope to offer one broad stroke of God’s brilliant gift of forgiveness, in that it might challenge our perspective and invite us into a new place of freedom. A freedom only Christ’s sacrifice on the cross can give.

So much of the rhetoric about forgiveness is centered around forgiving others, but what do you do when the person you really need to forgive is you?

Take a moment to grapple with that question. Think of something that you’ve been struggling with and can’t seem to forgive yourself…

Got it? Ok, now let’s go to work, shall we?

Most of us struggle with this concept of forgiveness. We want to experience it, but know we don’t deserve it. Nevertheless, redemption is the foundation of our faith. Everything we believe is built upon this rock—Jesus, the God-man who took every sin upon Himself in order to bring us into a place of freedom. As a result, forgiveness releases us to be all God created us to be.

Even so, why do we continue to battle the dual nature of flesh and spirit? We know we are forgiven. We believe we are forgiven. And yet, we continue beating ourselves up for our humanity. Consequently, we take up our cross of shame and carry it like it’s our job.

Truth is, most of us believe in God’s forgiveness but are unable to consistently appropriate it to our own places of guilt. Why? Because we are human. And because we make mistakes. Sometimes we do things on purpose that hurt others as well as ourselves. Regardless of how we come to our places of guilt, our charge is to accept our humanness and at the same time celebrate God’s supremacy. Hence, Grace!

It’s a challenge, isn’t it, to live forgiven?

What does it even mean to live forgiven?

In order to live forgiven, we must tread the waters of our sin and bear the weight of shame only long enough to allow what Jesus did on the cross to reach through the abyss of heaven and free us. There is power and wisdom in our scripture this week (Galatians 5:1): “It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

The guilt of sin births shame and shame holds us captive in shackles of unforgiveness. The twelve step program has a saying, “You are only as sick as your secrets”. Although this is an adage known well by those in recovery, it serves us in this context too.

In order to experience freedom through forgiveness, it’s paramount to come out of hiding. We hide behind our fear. Our shame. Our secret sins. Big ones. Little ones. And the one’s we’ve tried to forgive but can’t.

Walking through our days under the heavy weight of sin is a form of slavery. No doubt about it. It affects everything we say, do, feel, and portray to the world around us. It deadens our hearts to the prompting of the Spirit and grieves the One who died to free us.

This is the harsh truth—Christ died for us, but if we reject His forgiveness, there is no other sacrifice for sin.

The Almighty God deserves our reverence. His sacrifice and overwhelming power to redeem calls for an awe that needs to be prominent in our posture of forgiveness. After all, forgiveness is a great and glorious gift. A priceless gift. One in which we have no part in but to receive it, believe it and apply it.

It’s time, my friend, to allow God’s gift of sacrifice to free you to live forgiven. This right here is a come to Jesus moment if there ever was one. Fully surrendering to the process takes faith. If you feel like you don’t have the kind of faith you need to live fully surrendered and in the confidence of the Lord’s forgiveness, ask Him for it.

Bend your knees at the foot of the cross and look upward. There you will find the One who loves you looking back and offering you the opportunity to live forgiven.

Reflect and Respond:

It’s time to walk in forgiveness and live in freedom. I dare you!

Hugs for a great week and remember, you are not alone. Be blessed as you dare to live forgiven.