Begging for forgiveness. Have you ever caught your self doing this? Maybe it was from a loved one you had deeply wounded? Or a friend you sliced with a slip of the tongue?
I have. And what is even more fascinating to me is begging forgiveness from Jesus. Maybe, like me, you have been paralyzed by the overwhelming sense of grief and shame from a particular sin. And out of this you, like me, are constantly begging the Lord to forgive you?
But just the other day, as I was doing my message on the Cross of Jesus, the Lord open my eyes to see something very profound: When He said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34 NIV84), no one was asking for forgiveness, let alone begging. No one. And yet He forgave them—and us. This reality shuttered to my soul.
As I continued to ponder this, the truth became more and more evident: I don’t need to beg for forgiveness, I need only receive it! Once I have confessed my sin, owned its impact and consequences, and repented, then all that is left for me is to receive this gracious gift of forgiveness, which washes away my guilt, my shame and any regrets. No more begging! Merely receiving.
Perhaps you are farther down the road in your journey with Jesus than I am, but this is so freeing to me, so much so, it is even hard to capture right now in words.
How about you? What are your thoughts on the differences between earnestly begging for and merely receiving His forgiveness?
Main Text— Ephesians 1:7–8 (NKJV)— 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence
Additional Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more. ”—John 8:11 (NKJV)
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.—2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV84)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.—1 John 1:9 (NIV84)
Lord Jesus Christ, I have repented of my sins. I forsake my past and give You my present and my future. I humbly receive the grace of Your forgiveness. In Your Name, Amen.
Pastor Mike