Unconditional Forgiveness I wondered why it was difficult to let go of sin, even after prolonged periods of time. When I began to research and think about these things, I considered that one of the reasons we hold on to sin is that if we let go, it becomes disrespectful to the victims of your sin. What redemption does the offended receive?

Forgiveness in Heaven is unconditional, while forgiveness on earth is totally conditional. Has the hurt gone away? Has the trust been reborn? Has the transgressor truly repented and learned the will of God in these matters of indiscretion?

Hurt is as real now as it was the first time. Words that lie, sting the eyes with tears. Hearts that rumble and break beneath the strain of unfaithfulness hurt enough for a lifetime.

The Bible provides that our sins be placed on Christ because He cares for you. It also declares that if we confess out sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us from our sins, purifying us from all unrighteousness.

Even with those benefits we are reluctant to surrender that which troubles us. Not allowing ourselves to be free from the past allows the hurt to be triggered, rekindled and relived. That foray back into what has already happened, causes time, energy and influence to be distributed in trying to dig out from underneath what can’t be changed.

So how is it reconciled that we respect the fact that we have sinned against one another and yet lay the trouble of the sin at the foot of the Cross? God is much more forgiving then people, then man. We set up a barrier so that hurt does not come to us again but rather is deflected to others. It is understandable to not want to be hurt again. This defense can go to extremes, and continue for years, so as not to experience those emotions again.

The bible says in Romans 6 that sin shall have no dominion over you for you are not under law but under grace. Certainly under that provision, we should not be troubled by the cares of the past. That guilt, rekindling and rehashing of the failures of the past should cast no pall over you. But oh, how they do, how those weaknesses are exploited and tore at until raw. Many times, we ourselves, initiate the pain, carrying the weight of that which has been forgiven. Just as with Christ it is often too much too grasp to think that forgiveness has been given. We prefer to laden ourselves with guilt until the price of redemption has been achieved.

Perhaps we need to give over our efforts to preventing a return to the folly of our transgressions. Despising the road we are on will not provide the fruit of a well traveled journey. No sin exists that God doesn’t provide escape from. When our weakness is tempted, Christ alone is the answer.

Sins bright and burning fire leaves you cold as stone and so desperately alone. Don’t wait until you feel the heat, to turn and run, for by then it is often too late. Don’t let the sins of your past continue to provide a foothold for feelings and emotions that are not God blessed. Let the pain of your actions serve as a reminder, not for grief, but to envelop yourself in the Word of God, praising Him for His unconditional forgiveness.

IHN 082007