The Freedom of Forgiveness

I must confess this blog is on the heels of a video my friend posted on her Facebook.  The song in the video is what captivated my heart as I watched it.  I was laying in bed and clicked the play arrow and the song "What Sin" began to play.  As I listened to the words of this beautiful song, I began to cry.  I laid in my bed with tears streaming down my face because of the reminder of what Christ did for me so I could be forgiven. 1 John 1:9  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."



 Video:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaMIeOKQVDs&feature=fvwrel

Words of song:

It happened so long ago
And I cried out for mercy back then
I plead the blood of Jesus
Begged him to forgive my sin
But I still can't forget it
It just won't go away
So I wept again, "Lord wash my sin,"
But this is all He'd say

What sin, what sin?
That's as far away
As the east is from the west
What sin, what sin?
It was gone the very minute you confessed
Buried in the sea of forgetfulness

The heaviest thing you'll carry
Is a load of guilt and shame
You were never meant to bear them
So let them go in Jesus' name
Our God is slow to anger
Quick to forgive our sin
So let Him put them under the blood
Don't bring them up again
Cause He'll just say

 

What sin, what sin?
That's as far away
As the east is from the west
What sin, what sin?
It was gone the very minute you confessed
Buried in the sea of forgetfulness

 

Lord, please deliver me
From my accusing memory
Nothing makes me weep this way,
Then when I hear you say

What sin, what sin?
That's as far away
As the east is from the west
What sin, what sin?
It was gone the very minute you confessed
Buried in the sea of forgetfulness

In this world, forgiveness doesn't come easy.  Resentment and hurt runs deep in those who have been scorned.  When is the last time, you had to put your feelings aside and completely forgive someone?  It isn't easy is it?  Even when we try to forget and forgive others, Satan will find ways to remind us and give us many reasons to justify our bitterness.  Jesus isn't like this.  As the song says, "What sin"".  With Him, we are completely forgiven, completely clean & completely free of the burden we carry with sin.  Imagine being able to get that same gift of forgiveness from someone you have hurt deeply.  Christ is beautiful.  He forgives us immediately and never remembers it or reminds us of it again.  He paid the price for sin.  He sacrificed His life on the cross so we could be free. 

The Bible says we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23) We all need a Savior.  However, some of us have made choices in our lives which have created such deep guilt in our hearts, it is difficult to feel the freedom from our sin.  If you have ever experienced this, you know exactly what I am talking about.  I remember a time when I had made really bad choices.  Choices that made me feel ashamed.  You don't think you will ever do some of the bad things you do, but Satan has a way of slowly fading us into a life of sin.  Galatians 5: 7-10  "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough."  It was during this time, I recognized my need for forgiveness and the need for my Savior.  I was unable to free myself from the guilt without Him.  The guilt haunted me.  I cried out for Him to free me from the agonizing reminders of my choices and praise God He is faithful and He did.  Psalm 118:5  "Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free." 

I don't know what burdens your heart might be carrying today, however I do know Christ wants to give you freedom from them.  Matthew 11: 28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”   Seek Him and cry out to Him.  He is faithful and waiting for you.