What is sin? Sin is the transgression of the law. In Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with thy entire mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." These two Commandments is a summary of the Ten Commandments. The first four Commandments signify love to God and the other six signify love to our neighbours. Any violation of the Commandments is a sin.
When we commit sin, we put up a wall between ourselves and God. God loves us deeply, but He hates sin so much that it causes separation between man and God. Although we rebel against God, He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to redeem us. Our sins are numerous and only the power of God can release us from our tendency to commit evil. The only way our sins can be forgiven, is when we receive the gift of salvation which Jesus made available through His death on the cross.
We are forgiven through Jesus Christ and reconciled to the Father by Him. Forgiveness and reconciliation are the most important tenets of the gospel. Without forgiveness of our sins, we face eternal separation from God. Anybody who dies being separated from God will be burnt to ash.
Although we crave Christ’s forgiveness, we are often unwilling to forgive others. When a person sin against us, the negative thoughts enter and a wall of separation is set up between us and the offender. This wall becomes a roadblock which hinders us from loving others as Christ loves us. Roadblocks breed bitterness and unforgiveness. It is not good to hold grudges. Remember that Jesus died to tear down the roadblocks between us and God which is caused by our sin and we are required to do the same to those who wrong us. Jesus told us in Matthew 6:15, ‘But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
During life’s journey there will be times when we must try to restore broken relationships with another person. Restoration is important because Jesus told us to love one another as Christ has loved us. Sometimes this may mean swallowing our pride and
going to the person and tell them that you regret what you've done. Yes, you ought to try to restore broken relationship. Matthew 5:23-24 says, "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there, thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
If you have wronged somebody and it has caused them to have something against you, then you should go to that person and try make things right? If the individual has offended you, you should be willing to forgive. Think wisely and do to others as you desire them to do to you. You must strive for reconciliation. Remember, your goal is to be reconciled with that person. Matthew 7:12, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
It is often a lot easier for some persons to forgive others when they come and confess their sin than for them to ask for forgiveness. However, I would encourage everyone to ask for forgiveness and heal any seen or unseen rifts. When you go to somebody and ask for their forgiveness, you are helping them to break down the roadblock that the enemy may have put in their way. You are aiding them in removing an obstacle in their life that may be preventing them from living the life that Jesus wants them to live. Your actions will assist in breaking down a wall that the enemy has tried to setup between you and them.
After meeting Christ, your thoughts, actions and responses to situations will change. In your Christ like state, you will ponder your past behaviours and the Spirit of God will show you where you went wrong. As you identify persons whom you have offended it is imperative that you see them and discuss the issue. I know that it is impossible to remember everything or to go to everyone you have offended. To ask you to do so is legalism, and such request puts a burden on you.
However, don’t be daunted, try your best to restore all the possible relationships and do not ignore any available opportunities. Restoration is not to be undertaken by mere human efforts but through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives direction and will make the impossible possible.
You may find it harder to forgive yourself than to forgive others. There is no need to unnecessary affliction yourself. Psalm 32:1 tells us, ‘blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is hidden.’ We are further reminded in Psalm 103:12 that, ‘as far as the east is from the west so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.’ We need to stop blaming ourselves for not being good enough, and accept the fact that our sins have been forgiven. 1st John 1:9 reminds us that, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When God forgives us of our sins, He does not keep a record. In Isaiah 43:25 God said, “I even I am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake and will not remember thy sins”
In order to receive forgiveness, we must first recognize that we have sinned, confess our sins, and then believe upon Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins. Remember that without the blood which Jesus shed on the cross, there is no forgiveness for our sins True repentance includes turning from our sins, and not continuing to walk in them. If you seem to struggle with compulsive sinful habits, you may need to be set free from a demonic influence. It may be necessary to renounce your sins out loud seek the Lord diligently through fasting and prayer.
Never let the devil blackmail you with guilt. Guilt can serve two purposes, it can show us the problem so that we might repent and receive forgiveness, or it can rub our mistake in our faces and make us feel hopeless. The Devil is known for putting guilt on people, and is known as the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).
There is a vast difference between condemnation and conviction? First, I'd like you to ask yourself, "Why am I feeling guilty? What is the purpose of this guilt?" There is a force which generates your guilt; it could be God or it could be the enemy. God uses guilt to convict us of our sins so that we might change and make things better, whereas the enemy uses guilt to burden us down and make us feel hopeless about what we have done.
When God convicts us, it's so that we might recognize the problem, and work on fixing it. When the enemy condemns us, it's to make you feel like there is nothing you can do about it, and give you a terrible hopeless feeling. Therefore, ask yourself, "Is this guilt trying to bring me to repentance, or is it trying to tell me what a wretched sinner I am?" God’s desire is that we may be reconciled with Him and receive forgiveness from our sins. The enemy likes to show you the mess, while God wants to show you the solution.
If you have sins that you have not repented from, then by all means, repent and turn from your wicked ways!! If your sins are forgiven and the enemy is burdening you down with guilt, you may have to renounce the spirit of guilt, and command it to leave. Also, resist the Devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
It is God's desire for us to believe upon His Son, Jesus for the
remission of our sins, and to have a clean conscience that has been cut off from our past guilt. Hebrews 9:14 tells us, “How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” Hebrews 10:22 encourages us to, “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Jesus’ love is limitless 1st John 2:12 assures that our sins are forgiven for Jesus’ sake.
Jesus’ love is boundless. He is always ready to forgive. Therefore, put your guilt at His feet and He will make your life new. I also encourage you to forgive those who had offended you and also to seek the forgiveness from those whom you have offended. Unforgiveness destroys your inner peace and outward beauty. It makes you sick physically and spiritually.
Do not give the devil the opportunity to use your own bitterness to destroy you. Ask the Lord to help you to roll away all obstacles that the enemy may have put in your way. When you forgive you are also assisting those who hurt you. Your actions will assist in breaking down a wall that the enemy has tried to setup between you and them. Let the peace of God reign within you always.
PRAYER
Father, I commit myself to You. Please help me to forgive as I desire You to forgive me. Please cleanse me of all bitterness and strife and give me a spirit of peace and love. Thanks for the gift of salvation and reconciliation and may I be more Christlike. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Writer - A. E. FISHER
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