It’s funny, as a mom you tend to get stuck on certain “topics” or “themes” that you seem to go over and over again with your kids like a broken record. Just one more time… let me say it to you just one more time.
The type of life we live is many times created from the choices we made in our past and the ones we make for our future.
Sweet ones, our choices matter.
“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.”- Romans 6:6-7
We have a choice: are we going to accept the fact that through Jesus’ shed blood, our sins have been forgiven?
Are we going to accept the fact that not only are we no longer slaves… we are now children of God? (Galatians 4:7)
This day, are we going to choose to live in that freedom, embrace it, accept it, and let it change us?
You see, we all have a choice whether or not we will allow our minds and hearts to experience the result of forgiveness.
Will we accept what Christ has done? Will we accept His forgiveness and embrace what that means for our lives moving forward?
Because this choosing to accept and embrace forgiveness is going to be a choice we will have to make EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Let’s face it, every single day we mess up, and we need forgiveness.
And every single day we will have to choose: will we accept Christ’s forgiveness or are we going to allow ourselves to become slaves to the guilt and shame of this sin?
I love what Joy Forney said in chapter 4 of this week’s reading:
“When you sin, ask for His Forgiveness, and then move on. Don’t dwell on the past sins of today, last week, last month, or last year. Those are gone. They are covered, and you are forgiven. Walk in that today. And then tomorrow. And the day after that…” – You Are Forgiven – pg. 98
Each morning when the sun rises and the rays fill your kitchen, remember His promise:
“My mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22)
We are not called to a life of perfection.
We are going to mess up, we are going to struggle with sin. Some days we will win, some days we won’t. But we must choose to fight those battles, and we must choose to seek Jesus, seek His face, ask for forgiveness, and accept His grace.
“I place before you, Life and Death, Blessing, and Curse. Choose life so that you and your children will live. And love God, your God, listening obediently to him, firmly embracing him…” – Deuteronomy 30:19-20 MSG
The result of forgiveness is a life lived for God.
And so I talk with my girls in the mornings around our kitchen table about forgiveness, the importance of it, and why I want them to understand how this amazing gift changes their lives.
I want them to choose to accept God’s forgiveness today and all the future tomorrows.
I want them to choose to live in the freedom Christ has paid for them.
I want them to choose life and embrace the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers.
Because our choices matter, let’s choose to live in love, forgiveness, and freedom TODAY!
Love God Greatly!
Let’s Talk: Why is it hard to choose Christ’s forgiveness and freedom?
A very thought-provoking post, thanks Angela. To your question, ”
Why is it hard to choose Christ’s forgiveness and freedom?” – For me, it’s been difficult because I’ve been waiting for the person that I’ve sinned against to forgive me too. As was mentioned in the post “the type of life we live is many times created from the choices we made in our past…” Well, one particular bad choice I made hurt a loved one. They are still struggling with forgiving me and thus, I feel that I am still on trial at times for committing the past sin. I haven’t committed the sin again and have moved on, but the guilt and shame can truly wear me down some days. So yes, I truly believe God has forgiven me. Yet, I haven’t figured out how to deal with the daily reality of unforgiveness here on earth?
What you need to do after you accept forgiveness from Jesus is then Pray for the person you have hurt and as God to speak to there heart on forgiving you☺
Great observation! This is a perfect example of how our earthly or human heart leads us and our thoughts in a direction contrary to God’s direction. We are asked to be obedient and trust in God’s plan. Once we accept His forgiveness, that’s when we need to let Him work in our lives. Is it easy? Absolutely not! But this is where our faith takes over. Pray that God would give you peace over this situation and allow a healing to take place in your relationship. Forgiveness by others is not within our control, but how we accept God’s forgiveness and live the life He has planned for us is! Praying for peace and healing for you and your family.
LJones I agree with Mary Ellen and Velma. We have to accept God’s forgiveness and pray for those we have hurt and let God do what only God can do. We need to believe and accept God at His Word that when we confess our sins before Him He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. God is the only one to work in our hearts. Prayer is a mighty weapon, we are told to do it without ceasing, and to take everything before Him and He will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus!! You are forgiven and God will handle the rest. Abba Father I come to lift up LJones. I pray that she lays this heavy burden at Your feet and take Your yoke upon her, an easy yoke and alight burden. I ask that You heal this relationship as only You can do. Heal hurts and ease pain. I know that You can and do heal the broken hearted. Let LJones, know that once she confesses her sins to You, that it is finished, You have tossed them behind Your back, thrown them into the depths of the sea, forgotten them as far as the east is to the west. I ask that You pour out Your grace and mercy upon both people involved. Let Your Light shine through both of them and through this situation. I know You have good plans and are already at work here. Thank You. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus, who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and everywhere God. Amen
I have learnt along the way and believe that we may not have all the answers, that it is hidden in Christ. So when you allow that thought which continually hinders you to overwhelm your daily walk you could be doubting, like Thomas said…….My Lord and My God… after Jesus had risen and appeared to them, may you find the same peace and revelation in your spirit today
Thanks everyone for your encouraging and thoughtful comments!!
I think it’s hard to choose Christ’s forgiveness and freedom because we think that by wallowing in self-loathing and self-pity we are somehow helping to exonerate ourselves. Like the forgiveness of Christ only works if I’m really, really sorry for what I’ve done so I need to feel bad about this for quite some time. We’re also proud creatures so accepting the FREE gift of grace is hard for us. We do feel like we need to earn it – even when we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it’s impossible for us to earn even an ounce of grace. At least this is why it’s hard for me to walk in freedom.
This is another example of our earthly, human hearts being in contrast to God’s divine and earthly plan! If we try to use our rational brains, we will never truly grasp the scope and meaning of God’s forgiveness. You are right, there is no logical way that we could receive His forgiveness nor deserve it. Satan will use this rational thinking to have us second guess or question our worthiness. Go forward in faith knowing you ARE forgiven and that you DO deserve it! There is nothing we can do to earn it. God knows our hearts and whether we have truly repented. Have confidence in that and choose to live each day in His freedom and forgiveness!
That should be divine and heavenly plan, sorry!
For me, it is sometimes hard to choose Christ’s forgiveness and freedom because I am facing the consequences of the bad choices I have made on a daily basis. One of the things my bad choices have led to is being overweight. So, everyday I face the consequences of the sins I have committed of overindulging and using food as a comfort instead of turning to God. Even though I know that God has forgiven me, I still struggle! But, I know that by leaning on God, I can overcome this and get back to a healthy weight so that ahead of me lies a healthier life lived for Him!
I feel your pain, literally! I have battled an illness for several years that lead me to not recognize myself in the mirror. Each day is a physical struggle to try to live the life I know He has planned for me because the enemy constantly tells me that I will fail or am not worthy. But I realize God has brought me through to the other side for a reason! Combat any self destructive thoughts with truths from His Word, then Satan has no power over you, your body or your thoughts and nor does anyone on earth! I know how hard it is to get up each day and know my clothes may not fit and I may not like my physical appearance. This has lead me down a path of immense mental anguish. God doesn’t want that for us! But our sins do leave scars, whether physical or emotional. They are there as an alarm in case we wander down that path in the future. Do not be bound by past mistakes. Each day is a new day to show God you are thankful for His blessing of forgiveness! Praying for you in you physical and spiritual health journey.
Thank you, Velma! I will be praying for you as well!
Elizabeth thank you for sharing. I wake up everyday determined to rid myself of overindulgence. Everyday I feel the burden and struggle that keeps me from feeling like I have pleased God. This hangs over me day after day and day after day I fail! Thanks for the encouragement and reminder that God cares about this and I can overcome this. I do know God forgives me but I have a hard time forgiving myself. Please pray for me and I for you!
Thank you both for sharing! Praying for both of you, Elizabeth and Patti.
Agreed, Patti!
Elizabeth this is such a real struggle for us all because our entire day revolves around eating and the food isn’t the healthiest anymore and our lifestyles are fast paced so we are seeking quick and easy meals which lead to poor food choices. But I heard Lisa Bevere speak on what God spoke to her and this is how I pray now…Lord only You know what my perfect weight is, help me to be healthy and whole spirit soul and body. Put a guard over my mouth watching what I speak over myself and what foods I put in it. I asked Him for wisdom on what foods to eat and how I should exercise which is best for me. I am so proud of you my friend. When you turn it over to Him and ask Him to lead and show your self mercy and grace YOU CAN DO THIS!! Praying for a full equipping to enable you to walk this out with His guidance. <3
Sheila, thank you for your prayer! It is such a beautiful insight into how to pray over this!
Hi Sheila
My name is Donna and I cried reading your prayer. I have a struggle with weight and the right type of diet. I need to say this prayer everyday.
Thank you
Oh Elizabeth, our enemy knows our weaknesses and hits them so hard and at times, without a break. I praise the Lord for His Word and all His people He used, they were all sin-filled people, each with their own weaknesses and yet God used them, weaknesses and all!! Even repeat offenders like Abraham who left when God told him to leave and even went to sacrifice his only son when God told him to, I don’t think he even batted an eye, but he when he thought he would be killed because of his beautiful wife Sarah, he told her to say he was her brother, not once, but twice, and his son Isaac did the same thing with Rebekah. Not one of us can look at a perfect reflection in the mirror. We are all scarred by our sins, but God, our Heavenly Father, He is so much bigger than anything we have done or will do. And when He says we are forgiven…we are. Period. Abba is just that God, the Great “I AM”. So we need to quit listening to the deceiver, a created being, the father of lies and run to God, our Creator, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Without God all things are impossible, but WITH God ALL things are possible through Christ who strengthens us!! We serve an awesome God!!
Deanna, I was actually just thinking about Abraham this morning in relation to this. Thinking about how God “counted him as righteous” in spite of his mistakes…even when he tried to make God’s plan come to pass in his own strength by taking a second wife and having Ishmael. Even though his sins had consequences, God still loved him, just like He still loves us! Thank you for your post, it was just God confirming that we are all headed in the right direction…towards Him! 🙂
Today I’ll be talking as me not as an Encourager, lol! I don’t think there is any difference between the two.
For me, it is I tell myself I should have known better. Ebos, you teach people, you counsel people so why fall. You should have know better. You know better. And I keep flogging and flogging myself.
But a month back my wonderful friend and sister Erin Stafford had a long talk with me and I told myself I was going to always forgive me and love me. I remember saying; Ebos I forgive you and I love you. And I live healed, loved, and restored.
Praise God.
Ebos, it’s so hard to get out of the self forgiving trap. I, too struggled with this and in my video post to my groups I shared that I was having a hard time letting go of my sins after asking for forgiveness. But in reality I am not sinning against myself, I am sinning against God and if He forgives me then I need to drop it at the cross and walk away from those guilt feelings. Having sweet sisters in Christ are so very helpful to prod us down the path we need to be on.
JoAnn LGG Encourager
I am so very thankful for this study. I so needed to be brought back to the place where I was reminded that I need to fight sin every day. I have to fight the same sins over and over again. It is a daily struggle and I have not been fighting it like I should be. I know that the devil knows my weaknesses and he attacks those areas when I am the weakest. Thank you for your blog and your reminder that I must be alert and fight on a daily basis.
Oh Shirley, the verse on my heart right now is 1 Peter 5:8-9 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion. walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” You my sweet friend and I am NOT alone!! We are all under attack of some sort, but if we stay stedfast in our faith and remember we are victors in Christ Jesus, God will see us through!! He will be our Jehovah-jireh, our God who provides!!! <3