I will forgive their wickedness, and will never again remember their sins.
Jeremiah 31:34 NLT
Earlier today, I was talking to a young man who confessed to me how sorrowful he is for the crime he committed...
Jeremiah 31:34 NLT
Earlier today, I was talking to a young man who confessed to me how sorrowful he is for the crime he committed...
It involved a domestic issue where he severely injured his spouse. Fortunately, she didn't die. But as he told it, she was severely wounded and lost a kidney. She also "suffers from nightmares" and experiences "panic attacks," as well, some five years after the assault.
He went on to say that he has nightmares too. I could tell by his tears that he's truly remorseful. But neither she nor her family forgives him or wants anything to do with him. They've since gotten divorced. In addition, as a result of his crime, he lost custody of their child.
Filled with regret and heartbroken, and being a fairly new believer in Jesus Christ, he asked if I think the Lord has truly forgiven him. I assured him through the Scriptures that he has indeed been fully forgiven. As the Lord promises in His word, "If we confess our sins, He (the Lord) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
He then allowed me to pray for his soul to be released from the feelings of guilt, condemnation, and shame. And when we finished praying, I again reminded him that these feelings are normal, considering what he did, and the pain he caused to his victim. But now that he has since placed his faith in the Lord Jesus, in God's eyes he's been forgiven. "God will never hold your sins and crimes against you anymore," I declared.
"God has wiped the slate clean," I said. He has "canceled" your past. He has "chosen" to forget your sins. "And while you must still pay society for your crimes, just like I'm doing for mine, God has declared you justified in Christ, meaning that in God's eyes, you are no longer being held guilty as charged." I then concluded by telling him that he has "granted you forgiveness at Christ's expense."
D.B.
He went on to say that he has nightmares too. I could tell by his tears that he's truly remorseful. But neither she nor her family forgives him or wants anything to do with him. They've since gotten divorced. In addition, as a result of his crime, he lost custody of their child.
Filled with regret and heartbroken, and being a fairly new believer in Jesus Christ, he asked if I think the Lord has truly forgiven him. I assured him through the Scriptures that he has indeed been fully forgiven. As the Lord promises in His word, "If we confess our sins, He (the Lord) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
He then allowed me to pray for his soul to be released from the feelings of guilt, condemnation, and shame. And when we finished praying, I again reminded him that these feelings are normal, considering what he did, and the pain he caused to his victim. But now that he has since placed his faith in the Lord Jesus, in God's eyes he's been forgiven. "God will never hold your sins and crimes against you anymore," I declared.
"God has wiped the slate clean," I said. He has "canceled" your past. He has "chosen" to forget your sins. "And while you must still pay society for your crimes, just like I'm doing for mine, God has declared you justified in Christ, meaning that in God's eyes, you are no longer being held guilty as charged." I then concluded by telling him that he has "granted you forgiveness at Christ's expense."
D.B.
