Week 2 – The Way of Forgiveness
Heeeyyyyy there!
Can we start off Week 2 by being completely real with each other? Pull up a chair and grab your favorite latte, because it’s time to engage in the rare talk that goes deeper than the surface conversations we exchange on social media and in the church foyer on any given Sunday.
This week we’re talking about the Way of Forgiveness – the answer for our sin problem that we uncovered in Week 1. Picture our study this week sort of like the crucial step in a counseling intervention – the one where the problem has already been identified and we have taken the soul-searching step of recognizing our need – and it’s now time to look towards the solution.
For some of you, it’s freeing to look outside of yourself for a solution for your need for forgiveness. You’ve already come to the end of yourself and you know that you’ve got nothing unless a Savior steps in. But I believe that there are also some of you who aren’t quite ready to give up the fight. You think that with enough self-talk, life strategy, and hard work you can still figure this thing out on your own.
I get it. It’s not easy to surrender.
Ever since Adam and Eve introduced sin to the world, it’s been human nature to try to dig ourselves out of our own messes:
We conceal our sin, praying that with just enough distraction and cover-up, no one will ever notice.
We compare our sin, pointing out the speck in another’s eye instead of recognizing the log in our own.
We contribute good works to try to “outweigh” our sin, working harder and doing more in hopes of finding favor with God and with others.
But since this is real talk, let’s be honest: the longer we run and hide from our sin, the more miserable we become. Concealing and comparing our sin – and even contributing the very best that we have to offer – will never bridge the gap of separation that our sin has created between us and God.
Listen, it’s okay to admit that you can’t beat this on your own.
That’s why Jesus came.
“I’m not sure how long I stayed underneath those covers, but it was long enough that I had time to think through every possible scenario of how the whole ordeal would end. What would I say in my defense? How would my parents respond? I expected the worst but was met with gentleness and open arms. I hesitated to give affection but was embraced with unconditional love. I anticipated separation, rejection, and heavy consequences but was welcomed as a child who needed a place of forgiveness, comfort, and rest.
How much more is the Father’s perfect love for us? God’s grace doesn’t come from a far-off place or from an unreachable Savior. It’s not wavering or marred by human perfection. Oh, no. Because of Jesus, this grace comes from an accessible God; a compassionate Father whose heart is tuned in to hearing us whisper His name and is ready to welcome us with open arms.The indelible gift of grace bridges the gap that once separated us from God and is now a place in which we can continuously live… and can confidently stand.“ – You Are Forgiven, p. 40
Are you weary from the weight of your sin? Exhausted from all of the concealing, running, and pretending like you have it all together? Frustrated by your inability to beat this thing on your own? Looking for peace in all of the wrong places?
There’s a better way.
There’s just ONE way.
I invite you to run to Jesus and find the Way to forgiveness.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” – Ephesians 1:7
At His feet,
*Let’s talk: Are you still trying to fight your battle with sin on your own? What makes it hard for you to surrender to Jesus as the only Way to forgiveness?
Week 2 Challenge:
In your book or study journal, mark off three columns titled: Conceal, Compare, and Contribute. Ask God to search your heart to see if there is any way you are currently concealing, comparing, or trying to contribute good works to cover up sin in your life. List any areas that apply under the appropriate columns, then spend time with the Lord this week confessing these areas to Him and asking for His help in turning from your sin.
Week 2 Video:
Week 2 Reading Plan:
Week 2 Memory Verse:
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I am loving this study already and it is just week two. Thank you ladies of LGG for all that you do.
Thank you Shirley for loving this study of ‘You Are Forgiven’. May it gives more revelation and insights of how we were forgiven because of what Jesus did for us on the Cross.
Shirley, I agree completely! This study is speaking very clearly to me. I’m already loving the reading ang digging into the scripture. I’m glad to be traveling this road with you!
Shirley love, so happy you love the study. The study is absolutely wonderful. We just thank God. Much love from all of us.
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It’s just amazing when I read this I thought about the secret that I did yesterday, concealing the couch I bought from my husband and so this morning, I blurted out to him about the couch that I bought. I learned that having secret with our husband isn’t good, it’s like concealing your sin, I thank God for giving me the strenght and couarage to say it to him. Thank you Father God for not letting myself be polluted of concealing sin. And oh, Week 2 is called “The Way of Forgiveness”, I didn’t have this in my free printed materials, maybe it’s just available when you buy the book. Anyway, I enjoyed your video Whitney, very true of what you have said in the above statement above.
Yes, it is hard to totally give it up – to let God totally do it all for me! I still want to ‘do’ and try myslef.
Lord, You sent Jesus to take care of my sin problem.. all of it!. Let me willingly and openly accept this gift, sweet unedited grace! I don’t need a cover up anymore for Jesus blood was shed for me…for you!
Sheila dear, He is helping us. Lol we have to do is look up to Him daily. He yearns to be our Father and help us. You are been prayed over. Many blessings dear.
Sheila, it is so hard to “let go and let God.” When we do we experience so many of his blessings. It is truly Amazing Grace!
John Blanchard reminds the readers of The Beautitudes for Today that we should not be like Cain or Judas Iscariot that felt really sorry about their sin, but never repented. Cain in his selfrighteousness sulked because he will always be traveling. Judas returned the 30 silver coins: hanged himself- but without asking for forgiveness. If we do not realise the gravity of our sin, we will not desire true forgiveness and salvation.
Gerda, that must be so miserable! Remaining in sin and not asking for forgiveness robs us of so much joy and freedom. All of the behavior associated with our attempts to hide and cover sin only bring unending suffering and never any kind of fulfillment. Thank you for sharing these examples from the Bible.
Thank you ladies for this study. I agree it’s hard to even see let alone repent our sins! I think you for giving me the right tools to look deeply into my daily life and my sin and best yet the forgiveness that comes when I seek the Lord! His grace and forgiveness is so overwhelming and I’m thankful he never gives up on me!