If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:19
Knowing, understanding, and experiencing forgiveness from God set us free unlike anything else. God extends grace and mercy to us, no matter what we have done or said, or have left undone or unsaid. God has given us the free gift of grace and we just have to accept it. Oftentimes, confessing our sins holds us up from experiencing the freedom of God’s forgiveness.
Recently, I shared a time of understanding, confession, and forgiveness with my son, who was 7 years old at the time. One night he called me into his room, long after we had put him to bed. I thought he was already asleep, so I was surprised to know he had been awake. He really needed to tell me something, but it was too hard for him to get the words out. After asking some questions to understand what was wrong, he was able to admit that he had said something to someone and was really feeling guilty and sorry about it. We were able to talk about ways to apologize and about forgiveness. Giving him a safe place to share and an acknowledgement of unconditional love and grace from God were the main ideas I was hoping he would gain from our time that night. Almost immediately, he was able to go to sleep. As for each of us, when we come to a place of confession and understanding God’s forgiveness to us, it also gives us peace. The weight is lifted and we can find rest.
During this time as we prepare for Easter, we remember that God’s forgiveness came to us at a cost. But it’s no cost to us; it’s a free gift from God. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross paid the price for our sins. He extends love and mercy freely to us. He calls us into a place of peace and rest, knowing we are forgiven. And he extends forgiveness to us, so we will give it away to others too. Forgiveness is not always easy, but as we both receive and share forgiveness, we find we can live our lives in true freedom, joy, and peace.
Amy Givens, Director of Youth Ministry
