Here is also a new 20 minute audio sermon on forgiveness.
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As an immigrant, my mother lived in constant fear of deportation. You could miss up to four questions on the citizenship test, Mom missed five. The question she flunked on was: “What is the Constitution of the United States?” The answer she gave was: “A boat.” Which wasn’t entirely wrong. The USS Constitution was docked in Boston. But the judge instantly denied her citizenship. My father stormed up to the judge. “What is this? Let me see the test! She’s not wrong–the Constitution is a boat!” The judge rolled his eyes and said, “No, the Constitution is our basic governing document. My father responded, “But it’s also a boat in Boston! The Constitution! Same thing! Come on!” The judge finally couldn’t take any more. He said, “Fine. She’s a citizen. Now get out of here!” So my father said to my mom, “you passed!” “No, I didn’t pass,” she whimpered. “They’re going to come after me!” From then on, any time my mother was even in the proximity of a policeman, she quaked with fear. When I took her to Scotland in 1983, she asked me, “Will I be able to get back in?” “Ma! Don’t worry! That was 50 years ago!” It never ended.” –Jay Leno

Has something ever laid such guilt on your heart? You know, to the point that it consumes you and you can hardly think of anything else?

The great Judge, and Savior of mankind, has promised to forgive us when we repent. Add to that, he declares “Don’t worry! That was _______ years ago!”

I think it’s often difficult for us to let go of our sins even years later. There’s often a fear that someway, somehow, God is still going to hold it to our charge.

Here’s what God says:

I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins (Isa 43:25).
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more (Heb 10:17).
See, if God will let it go, you should too! This is one devotional point that needs repeating over, and over again. So many live their lives dwelling on the forgiven past. God promises that if we sin, and if we repent and ask God to forgive us, He will.

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!

–Neil Richey