Forgiveness is Chasing Me
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
One night I had an intense dream. It was actually somewhere between a nightmare and a dream, or a nightmare that transformed into a dream, or a nightmare with a happy ending.
In my dream I was running at night through a large, tangled forest. It was an especially dark night. The trees and the night hovered over my soul and were daunting. At first, I was just running away. I wasn't sure what I was running away from. I was just running away from something.
As I ran further, I sensed that the something was a someone chasing me. Whoever or whatever it was made me even more afraid. I was too terrified to look back; and I had the sense that whatever or whoever it was, was getting closer.
I tried to run faster, but my legs and entire being were getting heavier and heavier. I was running slower and slower, and it was getting closer and closer. I finally gave into to my fatigue. I could not run any longer, and I knew I had to face whatever had been chasing me. I assumed that I was going to die when I turned around.
When I did turn around to face my fate, Fate was a person. I asked Fate, "Who are you?" Fate said, "I'm Forgiveness. I have come to rescue you."
Forgiveness, asked me, "Why are you running?" I said, "I'm afraid of You." Forgiveness asked, "Why are you afraid?" I said, "Because I don't deserve you." Forgiveness said, "Nobody deserves me. You just need to stop running and receive me." Then Forgiveness asked me, "Will you receive me?"
I don't remember saying anything. I just gave Forgiveness a long, hard hug. I experienced a relief unlike any I had ever experienced. I didn't feel heaviness anymore. I only felt love and forgiveness, a mercy and grace I did not deserve but received with great relief, gratitude, and joy.
It's absolutely unbelievable to me that God loves me so much that He sent His Son to chase me down! And He is chasing down everyone. He is patient toward us, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) We only have to confess the need for and accept the forgiveness that God offers us through His Son. For, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9). What amazing mercy and grace - through our confession, God is faithful in forgiving our sins and cleansing us from ALL unrighteousness. That is why there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1).
I'm not sure what happened over time, but confession has become a lost practice in many churches and in the lives of many believers. Yet, believers still sin. I still sin; against God and against other people. I have to stay current with God in my sin account; confessing my sins against Him and others and receiving anew His mercy and grace. It's not about my salvation; that was settled at my conversion. It's about my sanctification and my working out my freedom in Christ.
I am convinced that the physical, emotional, relational, and fiscal struggles many believers face has to do with a lack of confession, repentance, and receipt anew of God's forgiveness and to the extent possible, the forgiveness of others.
This message is not a message of shame or guilt; just the opposite. It is a message of encouragement and exhortation to the breakthroughs and freedoms that are available in confession, repentance, and receipt of God's forgiveness.
My hope and intuition are that the Holy Spirit may have stirred up a reminder of sin that needs to be brought before God's Throne of Mercy and Grace.
To this point, God implores (Hebrews 4:14-16) us to confidently go to Him and confess our sin authentically, truthfully, and in very plain terms. There we will find His mercy, grace, forgiveness, and covering.
Please join me in confessing, repenting, and receiving God's Forgiveness.
PRAYER
Abba Father. Please forgive me for not keeping my sin account clean with You. Right now I present myself to You and confess my sin of ___________. I repent and renounce my participation in that sin. According to 1 John 1:9, I receive the forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness that You offer me. Stir me to keep my sin account clean with You. Stir me to confession, repentance, and freedom in Christ. Amen in The Name of Jesus.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Ephesians 1:7 - In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” – Isaiah 1:18
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” – Acts 3:19
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” – Micah 7:18-19
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.” – Acts 13:38-39
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:14-16
COMPANION WORSHIP SONG
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