Thorough Forgiveness

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Psalm 32:1

A healthy marriage requires confession when we do wrong and forgiveness from the one whom we have wronged. The word confess means to tell or make known, to acknowledge a wrongdoing. When we confess, God forgives. The Bible describes God’s forgiveness as thorough. The above verse from Psalm 32 refers to our sin as “out of sight,” while Psalm 103 uses a wonderful image of distance: “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). In the book of Hebrews, we hear God’s promise to forget our sins: “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds” (Hebrews 10:17).

When your spouse sins against you, it stimulates hurt and perhaps anger. You may feel like lashing out, but the biblical response is loving confrontation. If he or she admits the wrong, the right response is to lovingly forgive. Perhaps you are saying, “But how can I forgive when it hurts so deeply?” Remember, forgiveness is not a feeling. It is rather a promise to lift judgment. “I’m deeply hurt and angry, but I choose to forgive you,” is a realistic statement. You are honest about your feelings, but you are choosing to forgive. You will no longer hold the wrong against your loved one.

PRAYER
Father, I’m in awe of your complete forgiveness of my sins. Thank you! Please give me the humility and grace to forgive my spouse like that too.