Forgiveness

Posted on Jul 27, 2017 in General |

“THAT MAN IS A LIAR!” she shouted to us. The girls in the circle giggled.
 
My mom and I had no other choice than to nod at each other, look back at the young woman and say a collective, “Yes.”
 
A few of us volunteer to visit with young ladies in a detention facility each week. We go with the intention of sharing Jesus with them, so we read Bible studies together, allow them to ask questions, and remind them of how precious they are in God’s sight. In my mom’s words:
 
“It is one of the most rewarding activities I am a part of each week.” (I agree with her.)
 
We have had two moments like the one above, where a young one shares with us how hard it is to ask for forgiveness, usually from parents, and how hard it is not to go back to the same old sin, once they are “in the free.”

They come to the conclusion, based on what other visitors have told them, that they are not worthy of receiving any more forgiveness. Other volunteers with great intentions have mistakenly told them that they are unforgivable. 

We quickly interject to say that is not true.

In response to this last episode, while my mom began to share the story of the disciples asking Jesus about how many times they should forgive one another (spoiler alert: always), my mind kept thinking of specific people.

1. Brennan Manning. Author of Ragamuffin Gospel (perhaps one of my favorite books as a teenager) Brennan battled alcoholism even after choosing to follow Jesus. Did God still love him? Did he continue to forgive him?

Resounding yes.

2. King David. Not only the one who committed adultery and murdered the husband to cover up the whole thing, he also turned out to be not so great of a father. At least, that’s my conclusion if you neglect the incest happening in your own home, among other things. Did God still love him? Did he continue to forgive him?

Resounding yes.

3. Me. Often a mess when it comes to friendship and marriage. I love food more than I should. I doubt myself and am overly selfish. Does God still love me? Does he continue to forgive me?

Resounding yes!

So when these young women continue to doubt the love of God for them and doubt his mercy and grace for their lives, we revert to the Word of God which says:

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our sins may be different based on where we live and what we do, but God’s forgiveness never changes. It is always available. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise.