The Joy of Forgiveness – Forgiveness Part 4

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-5 1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! (Psalm 32:1-2 NLT) Friends, Forgiveness is a joyful way to live! Our disobedience forgiven, our sin covered by the blood of Jesus, out of God’s sight, out of our sight. Our record cleared of guilt and our emotions free from shame, able to lift our heads and look Jesus and everyone else in the eye with smiles on our faces. That’s what God intends for us, that’s what Jesus’ sacrifice and God’s forgiveness provides. Let’s live like that! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. (Psalm 32:3-4 NLT) When we don’t respond to the Holy Spirit’s conviction of our sin (when we self-justify; when we say, “I’m no worse than they are!”; when we think, “If I do a couple of good deeds, that will balance the scales.”) the burden of our sin crushes us. There’s no joy. We feel like God’s against us. Our faith grows weak, our hearts grow hard, our eyes grow dim, and we stumble through the day. Let’s not live like that!

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. (Psalm 32:5 NLT) Finally! Dear friends, don’t wait! Be quick to repent. Be quick to confess. Be quick to look on Jesus’ compassionate face. Then the burden is lifted, the guilt is removed, the shame is gone, and the fellowship is restored. The thing is, if we haven’t received God’s freely given, life-transforming forgiveness ourselves, we’re in no condition to be able to forgive others. Forgiveness is a grace. Forgiveness flows out of love and mercy. We can’t manufacture it, we can only receive it (and keep on receiving it) and then pass it on. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give!” Prayer: Father, Thanks for freely forgiving! May my friends and I learn to quickly receive the forgiveness you so freely offer. May the Grace of Forgiveness flood our souls! Amen.