Your Daily Devotional for August 22, 2006

 

August 22, 2006

 

Asking For Forgiveness

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“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

 

Why is it that asking for forgiveness is so hard? It is one of the most difficult things to do, yet it is probably one of the most common things we need to do. We have all found ourselves asking for forgiveness for something. You would think the more times we ask for forgiveness, the more comfortable it would be to forgive, but it’s not!

 

In our verse today, the word confess means “admitting oneself guilty by way of inward conviction.” The first step in asking for forgiveness is confessing that we did wrong. Often, people will ask for forgiveness but not really believe they were in the wrong. If there is no true repentance in our heart, then the “confession” is meaningless.

 

Also, the word faithful in this verse implies that “He is faithful to His own purpose to show not merely justice, but also mercy based upon His shed blood.” Think about that for a minute. God is faithful in that He will not punish us for sins that we have confessed to Him. What a great and merciful God we serve!

 

Have you ever said, “God, I know I did wrong but You didn’t come through for me so I had to do it.” Or maybe, “Well, God, they did this to me so I was just trying to show them that they were wrong.” Don’t bargain with God! We have nothing to bring to the bargaining table! If you find yourself making excuses or blaming other people while asking for forgiveness from God, then you are not truly sorry! True forgiveness only comes through a heart of repentance and remorse.

 

A man was awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call. On the other end a frantic, sobbing girl managed to get out the words, "Daddy, I'm pregnant." He was groggy and stunned but communicated his forgiveness and prayed with her. The next day he and his wife wrote their daughter two letters of counsel and love.

 

Three days later the man received another phone call. His daughter was shocked by the letters, because she was not the one who had called. Some other distraught girl had dialed a wrong number. Nonetheless, the letters were not wasted. Their expressions of unconditional love and forgiveness are now a treasured possession. Here are a few excerpts: "Though I weep inside, I can't condemn you, because I sin too. Your transgression is no worse than mine. It's just different. It all comes from the same sin package you inherited through us. We're praying much. We love you more than I can say. And respect you, too, as always. Remember, God's love is in even this, maybe especially in this. This is a day of testing, but hold our ground we must. God will give us the victory. We're looking forward to your being at home. Love, Dad."

 

Yes, asking forgiveness can be hard, but it is necessary! God asked forgiveness, in the moment of the most pain He endured, for the ones who were crucifying Him.  He also asked His Father for forgiveness for your sins when He died on the cross. Is it really that hard to ask for forgiveness realizing all that He has done for you?

 

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