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Presence Weekly 8/05/2024 - Receiving Forgiveness

The public square has a way of convincing us that the public is the only audience that matters, and the only forgiveness needed is from the public. But that is rarely the case.

Faithful Presence

• 7 min read

The DEVO: The Call to Receive Forgiveness

In many churches, there is a part of the service after confessing our sins when we are reminded through Scripture that our sins are forgiven. Some churches call this the “Assurance of Pardon” or follow it with the “Passing of the Peace.” 

Because Christians stand in the gospel, we know that we are forgiven by God, not because of what we have done, but because of what he has done. We don’t have forgiveness because we have gone through some specific recitation of words, or by some list of actions designed to prove that we are sorry, but because, out of his grace, he sent his Son to pay the debt for our transgressions. 

The sacrificial system of the Old Testament was designed to instill in the people the proper knowledge that their transgressions resulted in a debt, which could only be atoned for by blood. This system pointed towards Jesus who was sent as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Our faith , enables us to repent, and allows us to do so without fear – but with certainty of forgiveness that has already been secured. That is why, at the end of every reading of assurance the liturgist says, “Your sins have been forgiven.” But those words can be just as difficult for us to hear from God, as they can be from our neighbor. And again, we find that this is because our hearts get in the way. 

Three Obstacles to Receiving Forgiveness

Some of us tell ourselves, “I don’t need their forgiveness!” We may say that out of arrogant pride and a rejection of the importance of acknowledging the damage our actions have done. Of course, the result is being stuck in the brokenness of the relationship. 

Others may tell themselves, “They didn’t really mean it.” That may be true. But what if it’s not true? What if they do mean it? I suspect we tell ourselves this because of our woundedness and bitterness. In some sense, because we are fallen creatures, we convince ourselves we need to hold onto our anger and hurt because we cannot imagine living without them in our lives. But again, we find ourselves stuck in our brokenness and the brokenness of relationship. 

Finally, there is a most damaging internal narrative, “I don’t deserve their forgiveness.” We do this, I believe, because we have come to such a low and painful view of ourselves, that we cannot see the dignity that God gave us when he created us. We have become comfortable in the lie that we tell ourselves, “I am unlovable and I don’t deserve to be forgiven.” Oddly, there is a part of this statement that is actually true. In a sense, we don’t deserve to be forgiven for our sins against God, we have committed sin against the most holy God and the penalty for sin, as Scripture says, “is death” (Romans 6:23). But that only makes his grace towards us in Jesus shout his love for us all the more. God’s love for us motivates his forgiveness of us, and allows us to accept the forgiveness of others! 

The Public Square and Stage

In the public square, receiving forgiveness is regularly clouded by apologies that are generated due to news cycles and polling data. But even when the apology is sincere, there can be public pressure to hold on to the offense as a testimony to the injury received. In a sense, the public would prefer those hurt to walk around wounded for the benefit of the audience.

Forgiveness is further clouded, even diminished, by our perception of who it should be received from. The public square has a way of convincing us that the public is the only audience that matters, and the only forgiveness needed is from the public. But that is rarely the case. How about an apology to the person they had an affair with and receiving their forgiveness? The public square is a poor barometer of our forgiveness by the people who are actually hurt. 

In the public square, we are given a stage for seekers and skeptics to see, and even experience, the reality of the most important aspect of our faith - forgiveness. As Christians, receiving the forgiveness of others is a proclamation of the gospel.

Ultimately, when we do not receive forgiveness, we stay in the prison of the damage that our transgression did in the first place. We have no reconciliation of relationship and our hearts are not transformed. But when we embrace the blessing of forgiveness, our hearts turn from pride, bitterness, and self-loathing towards joy, thankfulness and compassion!

This devotional would not be complete with the following important truth, 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.” There is a reason that is in Scripture - you are forgiven. Receive forgiveness!

This brings us to the hardest aspect of forgiveness - offering it. Next week we will look at what Scripture has to say on offering forgiveness. 

Application

Are there certain narratives that drive your receptivity to forgiveness? Why do you believe those narratives play the role they do? How might reflecting upon Biblical truth reform your perspective?

Consider a time when you pursued incomplete forgiveness by not apologizing to all the appropriate people. What could (should) you do to receive the full measure of forgiveness available? 

What role does public opinion play in your pursuit and reception of forgiveness? How is that helpful? How is it unhelpful?

Weekly Office

  • Monday: Morning: 2 Chronicles 15 , 2 Corinthians 5, Psalm 24, 25, 26 // Evening: 2 Chronicles 16, Luke 20:27-21:4, Psalm 24, 25, 26
  • Tuesday: Morning: 1 Kings 15, 2 Corinthians 5:20-7:1, Psalm 30, 31// Evening: 1 Kings 17, Luke 21:5-38, Psalm 30, 31
  • Wednesday: Morning: 1 Kings 18:1-16, 2 Corinthians 7:2-16, Psalm 35, 36 // Evening:1 Kings 18:17-46, Luke 22:1-38, Psalm 35, 36
  • Thursday: Morning: 1 Kings 19, 2 Corinthians 8, Psalm 38, 39, 40// Evening: 1 Kings 21, Luke 22:39-53, Psalm 38, 39, 40
  • Friday: Morning: 1 Kings 22:1-40, 2 Corinthians 9 , Psalm 44, 45, 46// Evening: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30, Luke 22:54-71, Psalm 44, 45, 46
  • Saturday: Morning: 2 Kings 1, 2 Corinthians 10 , Psalm 50, 51, 52 // Evening: 2 Kings 2:1-22, Luke 23:1-25, Psalm 50, 51, 52
  • Sunday: Morning: Jeremiah 26:1-16, Luke 4:16-30, Psalm 56, 57, 58 // Evening: Jeremiah 7:1-16, Matthew 5:21-48, Psalm 56, 57, 58

Faithful Prayer - Talking to Our Father

  • Cabinet Agency: The Commissioners and staff of the SEC as they protect investors from misconduct, promote fairness & efficiency in the securities markets, and facilitate capital formation for those looking to hire, innovate, and grow.
  • Think Tank, Lobby group, NGO: The Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (SIMFA) which advocates on legislation, regulation and business policy affecting retail and institutional investors, equity and fixed income markets and related products and services.
  • Weekly delegation: The congressional delegation of the state of Georgia. 
  • News events: State Department officials working to contain the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and Iran. For the officials in the White House, and multiple embassies who negotiated the release of multiple Americans held in Russian captivity. For staff at the Federal Reserve and Treasury as they assess and respond to recent economic data.
  • Personal requests: For someone who just received a long awaited promotion. For several couples preparing to send their children back to school. For a young couple who just received word of their foreign service assignment during Flag Day. For someone awaiting a surgery.

On the Page - Articles We Enjoyed

What's Happening - In Politics & Culture

Two Thumbs Up! -

Retro country music wunderkind, Charley Crockett appears to be experiencing another one of his creative periods as seen in the release of his second album of the year, “Visions of Dallas: $10 Cowboy, Part II.” Since 2015, Mr. Crockett has released 15 albums, and shows no signs of slowing down. 

Crockett’s roots-music is a throwback to Gene Autry, Jerry Reed, and Willie Nelson that transports you straight to San Benito, Texas. He recently sold out shows at the Grand Ole Opry and is a gathering a devoted following of folks who turn out for his tour stops.

The new album continues to feature Crockett’s bluesy-western voice as your tour guide through well-woven stories of heartache, gambling, true love, wandering, and cultural introspection. At times, it is hard to imagine how quickly these albums are coming given their depth and maturity. While my favorite song is “Loser’s Lounge,” his take on the Oscar winning film, “Killer’s of the Flower Moon” is an exceptional and eerie story-telling masterpiece.

Last Things...

Registration for our fall discipleships cohorts are now open. Starting after Labor Day, each cohort will be working through, “1 Peter: Whole-Life Discipleship for Exiles in the Public Square,” a 12 week course to written to promote spiritual, emotional, relational, vocations, ideological, cultural, and evangelical formation.

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