If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
When I was a young adult, I went through a rebellious period. I was angry and did not want to be under anyone’s thumb, including God’s. I bucked authority and was defiant. I lost a couple of jobs and fell in with a bad crowd. However, it did not take too long for me to figure out I had made several wrong turns and needed to get back to Jesus.
Unfortunately, when you cross over to the “dark side” as I jokingly refer to that period, the dark side does not want to give you back. I detangled myself from the group and worked hard to restore myself. It took time and I took steps forward and steps back. However, through Christ and the support of a couple of precious friends I eventually walked away and back to where I was meant to be. The support and love of fellow Christians was key. Their encouragement, no judgement and forgiveness helped me along the way.
I hurt some people during that time, and I apologized to them all. I did not make excuses, I owned up. I was truly sorry and repentant. However, not everyone was willing to accept my apologies. They were unwilling or maybe unable to forgive. It made it hard, and, in some ways, it cast doubt on whether I was forgiven by God. If this person will not forgive me then why would God?
I think that when you have a person like that in your life, you become a hostage in their unforgiveness. Your focus is on whether they forgive you rather than accepting that you are already forgiven by God.
In your life you will have people that will always see only your sins, faults, and shortcomings. For whatever reason they cannot see past your past. They will always see your spots. And that’s the problem they are looking at only the outside and not the heart. Whether you are spots, stripes or a solid, the transformation is of the heart, and no one can see it fully except Jesus. These people, often people close to you, will never forgive, or forget what you have done. So, stop waiting on them to. What matters is that you have repented and surrendered to Jesus. He has covered you and God has forgiven. Then forgive yourself. Because on that day you stand before God with Jesus at your side, what someone else did or did not do will have no bearing. Only that you sought Jesus, and his blood has covered your sins.
Typist for Jesus
Mustard Seeds 