It is commonly believed that repentance must come before forgiveness. Aren’t you glad God disagrees?
“When you pass judgment on others, yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Do not disregard the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience.” ~Romans 2:3
That is all!
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Amen.
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So true. In the cultic tradition I once experienced, one was expected to “work up” repentance by time spent in fervent prayer. If I didn’t feel repentant, I hadn’t prayed hard enough or long enough.
I had a weird dream a few nights ago. It’s hazy but I was poised on a trail that was about to enter into heaven. Embedded in the trail, at the borderline was a flat tray made of a white porcelain material. The tray had liquid in it. It seems like the figure next to me was kind, dressed in white, gently pushing me forward. As I felt the cool refreshing liquid on my feet, the dream ended. Later that day I thought of John 13:1–17. Jesus seems to have spoken in metaphor very often. That evening he symbolically washed the taint of this world, and their sins from their feet. When he told them to wash each other’s feet, perhaps it was more than to start a physical tradition, it was more, “Forgive others as I have symbolically forgiven you this night.”
On further thought, my dream seemed to be assurance that in heaven, our sins—and the hidden guilt we feel for them—will be left behind. And it will be by grace—undeserved pardon—not by our own strenuous effort.
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Grace indeed, Vernon. It’s the only thing that ever really changes anyone.
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Thanks for this! I just used this verse in a piece that I’ve been working on. This gives me another perspective that I wasn’t seeing. Hmm… now I’m wondering if there’s something I need to add to my piece. God will show me! 🙂
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I’m sure it’s already an insightful piece, Tina, but if God has more for you, all the better.
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Thank you. 🙂 I figured out what I needed to add. I’ll send you the link when I post this piece. Thanks again! ❤
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His mercy is my only hope
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Amen, Lloyd.
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Mitch,
You have opened up a new can of worms with this one. I loved the conflicts that were revealed as I considered The Word.
Great post.
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Amen
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I can testify that forgiveness is a gift from God for the one who forgives, *not* the perpetrator. Those who abused me will never repent, but that doesn’t mean I am absolved of having to forgive them. If I didn’t, it would consume me, slowly, making me a creature crippled by bitterness. Sometimes, forgiveness is a process that I have to repeat, over and over. God is right there with me. That’s what grace is. Everything and all things – only by grace.
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Amen, Sandy.
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