The Power of Forgiveness

When I was about twelve years old a few friends and I were playing around an old rundown deserted farm.  We were playing a game of chance out in the dry field next to the falling-over farmhouse and barn.  I would light a match off the zipper of my coat and throw it in the grass and then we would pounce on the fire to try and put it out.

This game went on for about an hour until one time we were not quick enough to put the fire out.  A gust of wind came up and the fire took off across the field.  Within minutes the whole field was ablaze, encrouching upon the buildings.  By the time the fire trucks arrived both buildings were fully engulfed and the fire was spreading into the woods.

I very sheepishly stood with the other boys beside the firetruck.  When the chief asked who was responsible I very reluctantly said that I was.  I  could literally feel my knees shaking together, expecting to be told to wait until the police arrived, and then severe reprimand.  Instead the chief simply said, "Go home and tell your parents son."  Breathing a huge sigh of relief I didn't wait for another word and took off running toward home.  And then fear struck me again.  "I have to tell my mother and father."

I arrived home with my mother waiting for me.  I had forgotten that I was suppose to go to the church for a special choir practice.  She began to scold me for being late.  She stopped as she saw tears welling up in my eyes.  I explained to her what had happened, and to my relief she simply said, "Well, go to choir practice for now and we will talk about it later."

This experience has left a great impression upon me about the power of God's forgiveness.  Even as a young boy at the age of 12 I knew better than to play with matches and light fires.  I went home to tell my parents what I had done expecting to be punished.  But for some reason (don't ask me why) they didn't punish me.  I can't even remember if it was brought up again.

The power of God's forgiveness is so like that and more.  If we confess our sins and fully trust in His forgiveness then our disobediences will never be brought up again.  So often we confess to God but then hang onto the sin through guilt and shame.  But trusting God's forgiveness empowers us to let go of guilt and shame and be completely free of it.

The Psalmist knew about the power of God's forgiveness.  He said,

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He remeoved our transgressions from us."  Psalm 102:11-12

Once in a while I catch myself feeling guilty for something that I did in my past.  It is at those times that I need to remind myself to stop picking it up and owning that sin again.  It no longer belongs to me.  Let it go to where God has thrown it and be free.

Blessings,

-Leo