At times we can be very hard on ourselves. We want to be pleasing to God yet make an error in judgment and let it beat us about the head relentlessly. The enemy doesn’t have to do anything to us because we’re doing the work for him. God seeks from us a contrite [sorrowful, remorseful] heart regarding our sinful condition. If we display it before him then forgiveness can be ours for the asking. But once forgiven there are many of us that still can’t believe it’s all as simple as that. Surely there must be a flogging due, a verbal chastisement coming. No, God doesn’t work that way. Even if you’ve known the Lord for over 40 years like me and feel you should have known better than to think, say or do that thing you did, forgiveness is still can be yours just for the asking.
In the 3rd of the original Star Wars movies Luke Skywalker, who had found out Darth Vader is his father at the conclusion of the 2nd movie, said something rather poignant. Vader had done a multitude of evil things, but towards the end of the movie in one climactic scene Luke could still say to him, “I can see the good in you, Father.” Our Heavenly Father can see the good in us, no matter what we may think of ourselves. He sees the good in us because it was placed there by the Creator himself and is enhanced by his Holy Spirit. Don’t beat yourself up any longer. Instead bask in the peace and mercy of the unconditional forgiveness that has been afforded us. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
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