One-minute read.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
John 1:9
God forgives immediately. The moment we confess our misdeeds, the Lord extends grace, cleansing our hearts and making us right again. Of course, He may have some directions for us to follow. We might have to ask someone we wronged for forgiveness or have to suffer the consequences of our actions. Immediate forgiveness doesn’t mean no repercussions.
When we make mistakes, they do have consequences. In my twenties, I lived beyond my means, running up debt. The Lord immediately forgave me for my overspending once I confessed my sin to Him, but I still had to pay the credit card bill. Yes, God could have provided the means for me to become debt-free instantly, but instead, He blessed me with a job to pay my bills and used my brother to teach me how to budget and manage money. As a result, I learned self-control and became more mature.
Maturing in Christ means learning life’s lessons. God quickly forgives, separating our sins from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). Then He grows us as we endure the consequences of our actions. Taking responsibility and doing the right thing when we’ve done something wrong helps us walk righteously. Keeping us humble, we learn and grow as we own our actions, accept correction, and become more like Jesus.
Application:
God immediately forgives.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your immediate and complete forgiveness of our sins. Also, thank You for growing us as a result of our misdeeds. Please help us learn the lessons well, not repeat the mistake, and become more like Jesus as we submit our lives to You.
IJNIP. Amen
