I Forgive You – September 26, 2020

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; . . . Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. . . . Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”
Psalm 51:1,2,7

I Forgive You

Mitchell shuffles over to his crying sister. “I’m sorry I hit you.”

“That’s okay,” his sister sniffles.

How many times have we responded to an apology with those very words? Of course, we can understand it in the right way, but isn’t it a bit inaccurate? Was the sister really saying it was okay that Mitchell slugged her? Being wronged is never fine and okay.

So let’s listen again, but notice the difference:

Mitchell shuffles over to his crying sister. “I’m sorry I hit you.”

“I forgive you,” his sister smiles.

What an impact those three words make: “I forgive you!” Forgiveness acknowledges the wrong, yet, offers something more substantial than a cliched “That’s okay” response.

God deals with us in the same way. When we pray, “Lord, I’m sorry I’ve sinned,” God would never respond, “That’s okay.” Sin is never okay. Instead, God responds with something better for those who trust in his Son, Jesus. God says, “I forgive you because of Jesus.” It’s a response with substance!

That’s why, with faith in Jesus and anticipation of God’s forgiveness, we can confidently pray:

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love. . . . Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. . . . Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” Amen.