Forgiveness
Shortly after my eighteen birthday, I went with some friends to Seattle, Washington to purchase a large quantity of marijuana. I knew that what I was doing was illegal, but at that time of my life, I could care less. I was caught up in the thrills of the moment and had no concern for possible consequences. I guess I was in the bubble of illusion in that bad things happen to others, but not to me. Well, as we were making the deal, we were surprised by the police. Some of my friends managed to run away, but I was arrested. Three days later, I was to go before the judge to be formally charged. I had thought up a good lie, saying that the drugs were not mine and that I had just been walking by the scene, when the police showed up. I was young, and thought that the judge would believe me. Just before I was to make my “not guilty” plea, the judge asked if I would like to read the police report. As I read the charges against me, I turned pale. The police had found some drugs in my coat pocket. I was guilty. Instead of pleading innocent, I confessed my guilt. The charge against was a felony and the minimum was five years in jail. I hung my head, waiting for the verdict to be read, when to my surprise the judge decided to forgive me and let me go.
I didn’t ask for forgiveness, but received forgiveness. In I John 1.9, it reads: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” It doesn’t say: “If we ask for forgiveness, He will forgive us”. I have observed so many people asking for forgiveness, without confessing their sin. The result is years of living under continual condemnation and guilt. Confession is saying the same thing that God says about your sin. When you confess your sin as sin, there is no more excuses, blaming of others or diminishing its gravity saying it was a human weakness or error. Confession is what the prodigal son did when he said to his father: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” Confession brings forgiveness.
If confession brings such release, why is it so hard to do? I believe it has to do with one of the basic motivations of mankind, and that is self-preservation. We are more concerned with what others think about us than eternal consequences. We exaggerate, lie and wear masks so as to create an image that we think others will esteem and admire. One’s place in the pecking order takes priority over a clean conscience and so many moral compromises are made throughout life to insure one’s upward climb. To confess sin, for many, is to go down the ladder rather than up. Pride covers up sin, confession exposes sin. Sin is like a cancer; it kills. It must be removed from our life and it can only be removed through forgiveness. James says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4.6)
Jesus told a story of a man that owed his master a large sum of money. More than he could ever pay in his lifetime. The man begged for more time so he could pay the debt, but the master decided to forgive the man his debt. This man, who had been forgiven the entire debt, went out to get money from those that owed him. He did not treat them with the same mercy and grace that he had received from his master, but dealt harshly with them. I believe he was still trying to pay off his debt, even though it had been forgiven him. When you have been forgiven, then you can forgive. This man was still trying to save face with his master by paying off the debt, even though it had been forgiven. His pride resulted in an eternity of torment. So it is with us. To be forgiven you must confess your sin and then receive the forgiveness of your sins.
Scriptures to meditate on:
I John 1.9; Mat. 6.9-15; 18.21-35; Daniel 9.9; Psalms 51.1-12