“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
God calls all of His children to repentance. This call is truly a gift, as it brings us closer to our Savior. When we repent, we receive His gifts of unlimited grace and mercy. And through this process, we learn to extend grace and mercy to others.
The idea of forgiveness and repentance was not a new concept in Jesus' time. Ever since God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, He has woven the concept of forgiveness and repentance into His law. The Day of Atonement was a testimony to this; it foreshadowed what Christ was to fulfill on the cross.
The gift of repentance has sadly taken a back seat in our modern society. So often we take His mercy and grace for granted. We don’t recognize their significance, that they are all-sufficient, glorious gifts, which need to be shared with the whole world.
My prayer for His children this season is that we will remember His call to repentance, so that the whole world may truly see the nature of God, the great I AM.
Father, forgive me. Forgive me for taking your mercy and grace for granted. Forgive me, for I am a sinner. I need You, Lord. I need Your mercy and grace. Hear my cries and fill me with the gift You’ve given me. Help me to share this gift with others, even my enemies. Father, I want to forgive others as You have forgiven me. All for Your glory, in the name of Christ Jesus, amen.
Take Action
Take a week (as the Israelites’ did in the week leading up to the Day of Atonement) and reflect on your sins. Come before God with a heart of repentance and receive His gift. Take this gift and then forgive those to whom you have not forgiven. Keep a journal of all of these events and watch God move as you have never witnessed before.
