Moving Forward in ForgivenessChikamu

Be Honest

Sometimes guilt can eat at us when we have treated our spouse unfairly. God holds us to a standard on how to treat our spouse, which Ephesians reminds us about. In Ephesians 5:25, we read that husbands are to love their wife as Christ loves the church. He gave his life for the Church. Then in Ephesians 5:33, husbands are to love their wife as themselves, and the wives see that they respect their husband. There are times when we fall short, and we have to forgive ourselves. If we are truly going to move forward in forgiveness, then we have to accept God’s forgiveness when we feel like we disappointed Him.

There was a season in my marriage where after a disagreement, I would have extreme guilt because of the hurtful things I had said. I was having a very hard time forgiving myself. I couldn’t let it go. I would cry out to God because I felt so convicted. This conviction, though painful in the moment, is part of God’s sanctification as we grow in His ways. Ezekiel 36:27 describes the process of God’s redemption for believers, saying “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” When the Holy Spirit dwells inside of you, He will convict you when you are wrong. The Holy Spirit enables us to lead holy lives.

God would correct me with this conviction, then remind me that He has forgiven me. Because of His forgiveness, I can move forward, assured of His perfect love and forgiveness. Whatever your situation may be, 1 John 1:9 states that if we admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and will forgive our sins. He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

To maintain continual fellowship with God, we need to repent by turning from sin when God convicts us, then confess our sins to Him. Forgiveness and cleansing are guaranteed because God is faithful to His promises and because He acts on the basis of his justice. Christ’s death for our sins has fulfilled God’s justice and frees us of our guilt. So we do not need to walk in shame or guilt because we are truly and fully forgiven. We can let go of the ways we have wronged our spouse after we repent because Christ’s blood is enough! God doesn’t punish us therefore nor should we punish ourselves.

Challenge: Accept God’s forgiveness.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

1. Are you feeling guilty about something? If so, what is it? How do you plan to accept God’s forgiveness?
2. Do you find it challenging to forgive yourself? If so, why?
3. What would happen if you truly choose to accept God’s forgiveness?
4. How can today’s scriptures apply to your life right now?