Your sins are forgiven!

Have you ever had one of those moments when it truly struck you what those words mean? I had one of those this morning. As I was praying one more time for the Lord to forgive me of my sins and to cleanse me from the errors of my ways, it struck me. I’m nearly 49 years old. I can’t even begin to recall all of the sins of my life and the many times I have prayed for forgiveness. I can somewhat recall the sins that I have continually had to confess, but to truly know of every sin I have committed would be totally mind boggling.

That is when it struck me. I know that over the years I have sinned more than is even comprehensible, yet the Lord forgave, forgives, and will forgive every one of them. “As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12) Can you imagine? You can start going East and you will never meet West and the reverse is true. Isn’t God good!? You realize that if He had said that as far as North is from South, I have removed your transgressions that it would mean there was a point where He could go back and find them. You can only go so far North and then you are headed South, but you will never, ever find West by going East. Our sins have been removed – forever! God can’t even find them! Is that not the most awesome thing you have ever heard!?

Now, here is where you and I come in. The Lord can’t find our sins. The Lord doesn’t remember them. Do you or I? I’m afraid that I have to be honest and say yes. Yes, I remember those sins that I have repeatedly committed. I remember the things that I did wrong yesterday. I remember confessing them this morning and I still have a tendency to carry the guilt. AND, I’ll be honest, I can remember the sins that others have committed as well. I remember those who have sinned against me. I remember the failures of others around me. BUT, if the Lord can’t remember them or find them, why am I still fishing in the sea of forgetfulness or why am I headed East trying to find West?

Therefore, the time has come to allow God’s Amazing Grace to flow over us and truly remove the guilt and shame of our past failures in order for us to walk forward in freedom and release. And just as God has released us from our sins, we need to release others from theirs as well. I pray that you and I will be able to do that today – for ourselves and for others.