Five Choices That Lead to True FreedomSample

The Choice to Heal

None of us are perfect, and because of that, we will sin. No matter how hard we try to do the right things, we will inevitably do the opposite. This can cause us to feel guilt and shame. Over the years, I have known several people who feel that God could never forgive them for their sins; but this is simply not true. Jesus came to the earth to pay the price for our sins so we could be forgiven. If we feel like God could never forgive us, then we are setting a standard higher than God himself has set. We are also saying that Jesus' death on the cross wasn't enough to cover our sins.

Read 1 John 2:1-2

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

The word atone means to cover, meaning that through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, our sin is covered with his blood, and we will not be judged for it. This truth brings hope and freedom in our lives. Healing happens when we accept that Christ’s sacrifice covers our sin. This forgiveness is powerful and life changing!

But we must be aware of our sins. We don't want to get to the place of dismissing them or getting used to them. If this happens, then we have fallen backward, and we've allowed certain sins to control us.  This is why it's important to ask God for forgiveness as well as to repent.

Acts 3:19 says, "Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away."

Repentance means to turn away from or to move in the opposite direction. When we recognize that we have sinned, God wants us to repent from that sin, and move our lives in the opposite direction. In this way, we can make the choice to heal and walk in forgiveness each day and receive healing from God.  

Ask God to show you today when you sin and then confess your sin and repent of it. You can choose to live in the freedom of His forgiveness and healing!

Reflections:  

1. Have you ever felt like God couldn't forgive your sins? How has that affected you? What is the truth?    
2. Why do you think that it's important to not only ask for forgiveness but to repent?    
3. If we continue to sin in the same area, what can we do to change?