Forgiveness: A Clean Start

Have you ever taken a moment to reflect on just how much of our lives are consumed by the effort of cleaning? A considerable portion of each day is dedicated to this seemingly endless task. From the inviting corners of our homes, where toys gather dust, to the chaotic clutter of our garages filled with forgotten tools, we invest time and energy to restore order, only to find ourselves revisiting the same mess just days or even hours later.

This persistent struggle against untidiness has prompted the invention of a remarkable array of cleaning devices designed to simplify our lives. Washing machines, clothes dryers, vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, street sweepers, lawnmowers, etc. We also rely on an assortment of cleaning supplies that do everything from eating away at tough grim and grit to simply spraying on and rinsing off a few minutes later.

It’s striking to consider that cleanliness represents a colossal industry, with Americans collectively spending nearly $3.5 billion each year on soaps and detergents alone. This staggering statistic highlights our insatiable desire for a spotless environment and the lengths to which we will go to achieve that elusive state of cleanliness, especially with little to no effort on our part.

Yet, amid our fervent efforts towards our physical cleanliness the God invite us to ponder a deeper kind of cleansing—one that transcends surface appearances and dives into the core of our moral and spiritual well-being. God speaks fluently throughout scripture about the necessity of inner purity over outward cleanliness.

“Come now, and let us reason together,”Says the Lord,“Though your sins are as scarlet,They will be as white as snow;Though they are red like crimson,They will be like wool. Isaiah 1:18

“I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake,And I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25

“I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloudAnd your sins like a heavy mist.Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; ²⁰ and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, Acts 3: 19-20

Today, let’s delve into the magnificent framework of divine cleansing that God extends to the world through His Son Jesus Christ, reaching into both our hearts and spirits. Central to this process of inner cleansing is forgiveness—as we will discover, forgiveness is a life-giving thread that first has its starting point between the relationship between God and man, and that thread must intricately weave into the relationships we have with each other in order to fulfil the work God has set out for us through the redemption given us through His Son Jesus.

In James 4:8, we encounter a powerful appeal: "Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." These words are a stern call for genuine transformation that goes beyond mere actions, aiming straight for the heart of who we are. Similarly, in his first epistle, John conveys the timeless truth in 2 John 1:9 that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This speaks to a gracious promise that provides hope to the weary and burdened.

First, we encounter the extraordinary truth of God's forgiveness toward mankind. This act of grace is beautifully shared, as we are also called to extend that same spirit of forgiveness that we have received to those around us.

The pathway to redemption—the profound cleansing of our souls—required a sacrifice of monumental significance: the blood of Jesus, which was poured out for the sake of our salvation. In Paul’s letter to Titus (2:13-14), he captures this magnificent truth as he speaks of our anticipation for the blessed hope, the glorious revelation of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus. Jesus, out of immeasurable love for both His Father and humanity, provided that perfect sacrifice, offering Himself to redeem us from every lawless deed and to purify for Himself a people who are eager to engage in good works.

Revelation 1:5 paints an exquisite picture of Jesus as the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the supreme ruler over all earthly kings. “To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood,” we are reminded of the profound impact of His sacrifice on our lives. Through His act of love, we have a way available to us from the shadows of sin into the illuminating light of God’s amazing grace.

For the righteousness of God to be available to all mankind, a perfect sacrifice was essential. It was only through God’s own Son, Jesus, and because of His unwavering love for His Father and humanity, that such an offering was willingly made. The prophet Isaiah provides a vivid depiction of our condition without the cleansing power of Jesus when he states, “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; and all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” (Isaiah 63:6). This stark portrayal serves to emphasize our desperate need for divine redemption.

Further illuminating this truth, Paul explains how we might attain the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21), it’s ONLY by the BLOOD we are released from our sins. The glorious news resounds: Jesus has freed us from the grips of darkness, proclaiming, “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:14).

This rich thread of God's Truth woven throughout scripture unites to reveal this profound reality: the forgiveness we seek is made possible solely through the sacrificial shedding of Christ’s blood, which covers our sins.

Moreover, the ability to extend forgiveness to others becomes a defining characteristic of those who have genuinely embraced the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. This grace—both received and shared—embodies the extraordinary cleansing that God offers to the world, inviting us to reflect His love in our interactions with one another.

It often appears that our capacity—or perhaps our willingness—to forgive one another, particularly among fellow Christians, is alarmingly fragile and frequently overlooked. The Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:12-13 (and echoing again in Ephesians 4:32 emphasizes the essential need for us to wear a heart filled with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. He instructs us to support one another and to genuinely forgive each other, mirroring the profound forgiveness that the Lord has extended to us. This practice of forgiveness is not merely a personal virtue; it holds the potential to transform our world— or in the very least the small part of the world in which we live, one individual at a time—through the authentic act of forgiving one another.

Jesus explicitly states in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Imagine a world where courts remained empty because disputes were resolved with understanding and compassion, or where the generational divide dissolved as hearts softened toward one another. Vengeance and hostility could vanish, replaced by an overwhelming spirit of love, rendering hatred and bitterness obsolete. This notion of forgiving and being forgiven can lead us to a remarkable state of harmony. When we falter or commit wrongs, a simple, heartfelt apology opens the doorway to reconciling relationships, allowing us to move forward in love and unity.

Moreover, the act of forgiveness blesses not only the individual who is forgiven but also enriches the life of the one who extends forgiveness. Offering forgiveness serves as a transformative cleansing agent, freeing us from the weight of negative and hateful thoughts that can consume us. It clears our minds, inviting in the positivity that life offers and the overflowing love that God has for each of us. When we forgive, we lift a heavy burden of resentment, allowing us to face the world with a smile instead of a furrowed brow and a heart laden with bitterness. This newfound attitude encourages us to see others through a lens of grace and understanding, enabling us to believe that they, too, aspire to embody a spirit of forgiveness.

In closing, we reflect on what God's Word has taught us: that the profound forgiveness God offers us is made possible by the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ and carries significant ramifications for our lives. Our ability to forgive others is intricately linked to the forgiveness we receive from Him, as articulated in 2 Corinthians 5:21. It states that Jesus, who was entirely without sin, took on sin on our behalf so that we might ultimately be considered the righteousness of God in Him. The “model” prayer that Jesus taught us implores God to forgive us in the same manner that we forgive those who have wronged us.

It is crucial to grasp that if we expect mercy at God’s mercy seat, we must also extend mercy to others in our daily lives. Jesus underscored this point in Matthew 6:14-15, illustrating that our willingness to forgive others directly influences our own forgiveness from the Heavenly Father. He warns that if we withhold forgiveness from those who have sinned against us, we will be denied forgiveness as well.

This profound connection between forgiveness and mental health, as well as spiritual well-being, is not coincidental. Embracing forgiveness as a spiritual practice can dramatically cleanse our hearts and souls. It offers a beautiful opportunity for renewal—much like the concept of starting anew. Forgiveness signifies a fresh beginning, akin to God’s promise for us to begin anew in our relationship with Him.

Sin creates barriers, severing our ties to God and to one another. However, the act of forgiving enables us to establish new relationships, untainted by the grievances of the past. We as Christians must not adopt the mentality captured by the world in the popular slogan “I don’t get mad; I get even,” as we must not harbor resentment, which embodies a mindset contrary to our Christian calling, but rather embrace forgiveness.

As followers of Christ, our call and aspiration is to excel in the practice of forgiving one another, graciously accepting the forgiveness others offer us, and, most importantly, earnestly seeking the forgiveness for our own sins that Jesus sacrificed Himself to provide. Embracing forgiveness not only aligns our lives with God’s will but also elevates our spiritual and emotional health, fostering a community grounded in love and understanding.

Acts 3:19-20 promises that repentance and turning to God now brings "times of refreshing" from His presence. This scripture signifies forgiveness, revival, restoration, and the wiping away of sins, likened to a cool breeze on a hot day. It calls for a change in thinking and a return to God's purpose.

One of my favorite hymns is “For Those Tears I Died” Verse 2 goes like this:

Your goodness so great, I can't understand.                           

And dear Lord I know that all this was planned.

I know You're here now and always will be;                                 

Your love loosed my chains and in You I'm free,       

But Jesus, why me?

And Jesus said come to the water, stand by my side;         

I know you are thirsty, you won’t be denied.

I felt every teardrop when in darkness You cried;                                  

And I strove to remind you, that for those tears I died.

This song highlights breaking free from the bondage of sin in the line ("Your love loosed my chains") and finding safety in God's presence, rather than falling into despair. It also addresses the chaos in our souls and reminds us of the forgiveness available to us. The spiritual oasis presented to us in the invitation of Jesus beckoning us to  ("Come to the water") and the reassurance that we do not have to walk through suffering alone.

While the essence of this song is profoundly touching, I believe its message would reach even greater depths if one crucial phrase were added: “He will always say, ‘I forgive, when we are repentant.’” It is essential to recognize that only true repentance will unlock the door to forgiveness.

If you’re a believer and you need to forgive someone you’ve been harboring hatred and resentment toward, and you would like to publicly seek forgiveness so that God will extend forgiveness to you, the time to do that is now.

If you believe but have never been washed by the blood of Jesus in the cleansing waters of baptism, I welcome you to come forward today and claim the forgiveness available to you. The time is now!