Does anyone ever not feel forgiven from their sins? I mean is there such a thing as "feeling" forgiven or is it more of a matter of unconditional faith. Sometimes I don't feel forgiven, but I "think" I'm forgiven, I "say" I believe I'm forgiven and I attempt to "do" the faith practices that often times the forgiven follow, but to "feel" forgiven? There must be more than feeling...
This promise of perfect absolution from the consequences of sin... to be forgiven.... I believe must be more than a feeling... it is something much deeper. It is a reunification with the creator of the universe and an accepting of guilt and trusting that through Christ' sacrifice you have been forgiven from sin... it is a complete surrender to Christ and a recognition that He is the Lord of all that you are...
The feeling of forgiveness is never specifically promised (I think, please correct me if I'm wrong). What is promised is forgiveness from sins from those who confess that they have sinned and believe (really genuinely believe) that Christ is Lord, their Lord and only sovereign power over them. This is a love promise. A promise to love and protect you just like a husband to a wife and a father to a child. As followers of Christ we are called "children of God" and we are also called collectively "the bride of Christ." Those are powerful positions of closeness to God.
I am not married nor do I have any children, but for those of you who are married and/or have children I am taking a leap of faith that you would do almost anything to protect them from harm and to nurture them toward living healthy lifestyles that engender genuine love and care for others. That is the sort of forgiveness that Christ offers. It is a forgiveness that represents one life given freely to be killed in order to save another. This act has been made famous in movies, literature, legends, stories, etc. To die for someone is considered to be an act of selflessness.
All of this I believe to be true but sometimes I don't act like it is true. I wallow if fear, worry, or anger... thinking that I am lost and not knowing what to do. Sometimes I walk with utter confidence and peace knowing that God has forgiven me and is guiding me whether I know it or not. Often times it's a mixture of both doubt and faith. That is normal but is it ideal?
Finding your absolution... the only absolution in Christ sometimes is a journey but it is always always always there for you... Christ is always ready to forgive and never ceases to love you, no matter what you have done or will do or want to do.
I am forgiven... sometimes my own choices and sins keep me from feeling forgiven, but in the end I rediscover my forgiveness when I run back to Christ... He never lets you go... How do you find forgiveness... where does your absolution lie?
Blessings,
Sam
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