Has a particular sin caught you in its web, and you just cannot seem to free yourself from its entanglement? Perhaps you find yourself sinning against others while avoiding reconciliation. At the same time, you might be holding on to someone’s sin against you, unable to let go. Whether we sin against others, or they sin against us, unreconciled transgressions can define us.
In terms of forgiveness, two sins exist: refusing to repent and the hidden sin of refusing to forgive. George MacDonald said, “It may be infinitely worse to refuse to forgive than to murder, because the latter may be an impulse of a moment of heat, whereas the former is a cold and deliberate choice of the heart.” A humble clay heart is at the source of empathy when we are hurt and the foundation of confession when we are the offender. Conversely, pride inhibits forgiveness, robbing us of the life we are called to live: “Walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
Walk is an Old Testament metaphor for life. When we confess, our sins, (homeolego in Greek), we agree with God’s perspective of our transgressions. As a result, He forgives us and restores us (1 John 1:9). Soren Kierkegaard revealed, “‘All have sinned,’ is an easy statement; however, ‘I have sinned,’ sticks somewhere between the brain and the heart.” Still, temporary consequences often remain as a result of our sins. Whereas God does not change the past, He does provide the freedom from the penalty of sin, freedom from the power of sin, and, one day, freedom from the presence of sin in eternity.
Embrace the heart of God to be forgiven so you can be free to forgive others. Repent of your sin and seek forgiveness offered in Jesus Christ. If you have sinned against someone, go to them and ask for forgiveness. If someone has sinned against you, forgive them and do everything you can to reconcile the relationship. God will use you to bring His restoration to everyone you encounter as you experience freedom in Christ and walk with God.
Episode 396: Restoration Theology | Hamartialogy: The Study of Sin from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.