Forgiveness…
I’ve been re-reading a book by Jay Adams, “From Forgiven to Forgiving” – a reminder that I read from time to time.
I am reminded that forgiveness is a three-fold promise. When God forgives me, He has promised to never hold it against me – not to Him, not to others, not to me.
I am also reminded that if I am to forgive as the Father forgives, I also give that same three-fold promise.
At my house, we don’t do the “say sorry and give your sibling a hug” thing.
“I was wrong” or “I sinned” AND “Please forgive me” are followed by “I forgive you”. We know that is a three-fold promise.
One of the turning points in my relationship with my daughter was when I “Jay Adams-ed” her. I was the one who has sinned – that time (there was enough to go around). We talked about the Jay Adams book, the three-fold promise and my statement of “I sinned, please forgive me”.
Later, it was her turn and later still, I did bring it up. And she held me to that promise. She is my sister in Christ, as well as the daughter of my flesh. And she held me to that promise.
These days, if something reminds us of that time, it is not her and it is not me. There is no hurt left – and I believe it is because of her knowledge that the three-fold promise is real.
These days also, I am reminded that when there is an issue in my past that Christ has covered with His blood – if it comes up again, it is not Him bringing the accusation.
I am covered, and my sins are forgiven. The three-fold promise.
“…as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” (Psa 103:12 ESV)
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”” (Roman 8:1 ESV)
I thank You, Father, for the promise. I stand before you now with no condemnation, no reminders from You. I admit that there are times that I bring my own sin up against myself; that stands against the promise. Thank you again for the promises that You are faithful always to keep.
Been thinking about this topic all day. Thanks for just confirming what God’s doing in my heart.
This was awesome, thank you.
It may sound cliche yet it’s not. I really needed this reminder that when sin is brought up again, it’s not God, it’s the accuser of the brethern. Thank you!
I’m so glad your daughter and you can be partners in reminding each other. Thank you for sharing this.
I loved this post. There is such freedom in real forgiveness. To know that something is gone never to be held against us again. It is what Jesus paid such a high price for. It is an amazing gift.
Beautiful post, and the book sounds like a great read.
How awesome this is. I have reached a place in my spiritual growth that I felt like I needed to apologize to my children for the mistakes I made raising them and for all of the times I had hurt them. I experienced sporadic intervals of depression. I failed my children and needed to ask them to forgive me. I had already ask the Lord and now I had to face them. I done this one on one with each child so I could ask for forgiveness of spacific thing I had done. I praise God for his awesomeness. My children each replied you did not fail us and you do not need to appoligise. Wow I learned a valuable lesson from my children and God that day.
I have not thought about forgiveness as a three fold promise. This is cool. I also love the fact that you see your daughter as a sister in Christ as well as your daughter of your flesh. I see my daughter that way and I think my mom sees me this way as well. Neat.