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Romans 3:21-22 Living Bible (TLB)
21-22 But now God has shown us a different way to heaven[a]—not by “being good enough” and trying to keep his laws, but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about it long ago). Now God says he will accept and acquit us—declare us “not guilty”—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.
Unconditional Love! Well, that is an interesting idea. You mean I am supposed to love with no conditions? I know Christ did. But I am human! Can I actually love without any questions, problems or requiring my needs to be met? Again that is me being human. It’s not about me!
I find that it is easy to forgive. But it is really hard to forget. When people ask me to forgive them for something they did, I say no problem, I forgive you! But then I find myself thinking about what they did to me. I might tell others what that person did or said to me & how I was offended. I might even make snide comments to that person about what they had done or said to me.
So did I really forgive? If I can’t forget then I really didn’t forgive despite what I may have said. Yet Christ forgave me & all of my sins by His death on the cross. He continues to forgive me daily without holding it against me or waiting for an opportune time to use it against me. As the text says “He obliterates our (my) sin.” The text even says through Romans 3:23-24 “yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins.”
Christ clothes me in His Righteousness. If HE can forgive me (no questions asked), then what a perfect gift! I need to try harder at forgiving and forgetting. I CAN FORGIVE and then allow GOD to restore that person (and me) to perfection. What a Gift! The gift is given freely to me, all that I need to do is accept it and offer my love and forgiveness to others and pray that they might receive God’s gift as well.
Lord please help me to forgive and FORGET. Please remind me that your gift to me is my forgiveness and that I should freely give my forgiveness and forgetfulness. Please help me to give my love unconditionally as You gave yourself unconditionally on the cross for me and continue to unconditionally forgive me and restore me to perfection Amen
Jerry