Category Archives: Forgiveness

Dedicated: A Search of the Heart

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Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive (wicked) way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23–24

When was the last time you dedicated time to searching your heart for offense and wickedness? What might happen if we made this a regular practice? If you’re ready to do a little (or perhaps a lot of) soul searching, read on.

Sometimes our anxious thoughts are rooted in an unforgiving heart. When we hold on to resentment, bitterness, or anger toward someone who has hurt us, we carry a burden that God never intended us to bear.

Jesus had some particularly strong words about forgiveness:

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14–15

Did you notice verse 15? Those are powerful words. I cannot bear the thought of living without God’s forgiveness. Can you? Are there situations in your life that seem unfair? People who have hurt you? Circumstances over which you had no control? Of course. We all have them. Some wounds are deep, and some injustices are very real. Forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending the hurt never happened or excusing someone’s actions. It means refusing to allow that hurt to take up permanent residence in our hearts.

So what should we do?

Give it to God! Let Him have control of all that happens to us, against us, for us, and even without us. Ask Him to make you aware of any anger, bitterness, resentment, or envy you may be harboring toward another person. Be willing to let Him uncover even those things you would rather leave hidden.

Only when we surrender that burden to Him can we begin to move forward in forgiveness and freedom.

And perhaps we should make David’s prayer our own:

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

Lord, search my heart. Show me what needs to change. Give me the courage to surrender what I have been holding onto and the grace to forgive as You have forgiven me. Lead me in Your everlasting way. Amen.

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers’ posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com

After “Amen”

How often have we prayed, “Father, help me love everyone I meet today”,  only to walk away from our prayer spot and forget we ever asked?

Then someone says something that irritates us…

Then our carefully made plans fall apart…

Then someone repeats what another person has said about us…

Then we feel overlooked, misunderstood, or hurt…

Those little “thens” may be God’s answer to our prayer.

I’ll be honest. My first response isn’t always love.

Sometimes I fuss. Sometimes I fume. Sometimes I can think of a hundred ways to defend myself or get even. That’s usually when I call a trusted friend, spend time in prayer, and listen carefully for God’s voice.

Years ago, I would simmer for a while and then simply let it go. Well…I still simmer once in a while. But I don’t simply let it go anymore.

If the relationship matters, I’ve learned to go to the person and honestly say, “What happened really hurt me.”

Most of the time, we talk, we listen, and we understand each other better. Sometimes we can’t resolve everything, but I’ve learned that love isn’t passive. Love is willing to have difficult conversations with grace.

Jesus said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

Perhaps loving like Jesus isn’t found in avoiding conflict.

Perhaps it’s found in choosing kindness, truth, forgiveness, and humility in the middle of it.

So tomorrow morning, when you pray, “Father, help me love everyone today,” don’t be surprised if your first opportunity arrives before breakfast. 

A No Contest Case–Already Decided

An unexpected courtroom lesson during Bible study reminded me just how complete Christ’s forgiveness really is.

It is always my pleasure to be on the learning side of a class. One of the blessings of our Sunday morning Bible study is having a wonderful co-teacher who shares the teaching responsibilities. I truly enjoy those mornings because they give me the opportunity to learn from someone else.

This past week, we were studying our sinful nature in Romans 7, and during the discussion, we found ourselves following the trail of something unexpected—a “no contest” plea.

As I understand it, a “no contest” plea means a person does not argue the charges but simply allows the judge to decide the case. If the case is later appealed, the next judge will usually honor the original judge’s ruling.

As the class discussed this idea, a thought occurred to me. The concept offers an interesting picture of our own judgment. One day, we will leave this world and stand before the One and Only God—the Judge of all that was, is, and is to come. Our Counselor, Jesus Christ, will stand beside us. When the charges are brought, He will remind the court that this case has already been settled. The penalty was paid and the judgment satisfied at the cross.

That forgiveness, however, does not give us permission to deliberately break God’s commands. Instead, it should deepen our desire to follow Him closely. When we walk with Him daily, we become more aware of the Spirit—the Counselor within us—who guides and advises us. When we ignore that voice and choose what we know will displease Him, we miss the great blessing that comes through obedience and the growth of holiness of heart and life—the very struggle Paul describes in Romans 7.

Edited and rewritten 3/7/2026. No Contest originally posted on 10/10/2011

Forever Forgiving

How often must I forgive?

Do you find yourself asking forgiveness for the same thing over and over? Do you find yourself forgiving the same thing in someone else over and over? That’s actually what this verse is about.

Peter asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive his brother and Jesus replied, “I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Jesus was saying forgiveness is not a one-time thing. He wants us to forgive as many times as it takes.

We are to forgive just as God did and does. Over and over again!

Abba, Father, remind me of Your kind of forgiveness every time I’m tempted to be unforgiving. Give me a kind, compassionate, forgiving heart.

Do-overs

God, in His great mercy, gives us a second chance, a third chance, a fourth chance, and more…

God is always willing to let us try again. God not only forgives He gives the opportunity to try again.

David and Paul and Moses were murderers…

Noah and Lot were drunks…

Rahab and Tamar were prostitutes…

Jonah was disobedient, hesitant, reluctant, and fearful…

Naomi and Martha were whiners…

All of them were forgiven, given mercy. They were allowed to try again.

David asked for forgiveness (Psalm 51) and our merciful God said, I can still use you!

Rahab did what she promised and God not only saved her and her family, at the fall of Jericho, but gave her a place in the lineage of Christ. (Joshua 2 and 6)

Jonah was so afraid to do what God had told him to do that he went the opposite direction and was swallowed by a whale. He single-handedly saved the people of an entire city! (Jonah)

Jesus told Martha to quit whining and follow the example of her sister Mary. (Luke 10:38-42)

And that’s just a few of the do-overs in God’s word. He still gives His forgiveness, mercy, and grace. He knows we’re not perfect. We often miss the mark. But He forgives and forgives and lets us start over and over and over…

What a Mighty God we serve!