Forgiveness

If we confess our sins . . .
[God] will forgive us our sins.
                     —1 John 1:9

Forgiveness must be accepted as well as offered. A person who admits no guilt senses no need for forgiveness.

Approaching God with excuses, pleading “extenuating circumstances” is a futile remittance for forgiveness. If we had an acceptable excuse, we would need no forgiveness.

We have sins that excuses don’t cover. When those sins are confessed, God forgives. We say and do things that are inexcusable but not unforgivable.

To complete the circle of forgiveness, there’s this: if God forgives you, you must forgive yourself. Otherwise, you’ve set yourself up as a higher tribunal than God.

Confess without reservation to God
who forgives without reservation.