EMBRACING GOD’S FORGIVENESS: TURNING FROM SELF-WILL
“If a man does not repent, He will sharpen His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready. He has also prepared for Himself deadly weapons; He makes His arrows fiery shafts. Behold, he travails with wickedness, And he conceives mischief and brings forth falsehood. He has dug a pit and hollowed it out, And has fallen into the hole which he made. His mischief will return upon his own head, And his violence will descend upon his own pate.” Psalms 7:12-16
In the hustle and bustle of our lives, it’s easy to get caught up in our own willfulness, pursuing our desires without considering the consequences. We often fail to realize that our choices can lead us down a path of self-destruction. However, there’s hope even when we find ourselves entangled in our self-will, for the grace of Christ is always available to us. In Psalm 7:12-16, we’re given a stark reminder of what can happen when we refuse to repent and seek forgiveness. The imagery of God sharpening His sword and preparing deadly weapons may sound daunting, but it’s a portrayal of the inevitable consequences of our self-will. When we choose our own way over God’s, we inadvertently create a pit of trouble and deception for ourselves.
The psalmist paints a vivid picture of someone who conceives mischief and brings forth falsehood. This person’s actions lead to their own downfall, as their wickedness boomerangs back upon them. It’s a sobering message about the dangers of stubbornly following our own desires. Yet, here’s the incredible good news: God’s mercy and grace are boundless. Despite our moments of self-will and disobedience, Christ extends His loving arms to embrace us when we turn from our errant ways. He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
Isaiah 43:25 reminds us that God not only forgives but forgets our sins: “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.” This is a profound display of God’s love and compassion. When we repent and seek His forgiveness, He not only pardons us but also erases the record of our wrongdoing. Imagine that! The Creator of the universe chooses to forget our sins, as if they never existed. He does not hold our past against us but invites us into a renewed and restored relationship with Him. In Christ, we find the ultimate source of hope and redemption. When we turn away from self-will and surrender to His divine will, we discover the fullness of His grace. We experience the joy of walking in fellowship with Him, knowing that His love is steadfast, and His mercy endures forever.
If you’ve been ensnared by self-will and are facing the consequences of your choices, remember that Christ’s grace is greater than any mistake. Repent, seek His forgiveness, and allow His love to cleanse and restore you. In His boundless mercy, He offers you a fresh start, wiping away the past and inviting you into a future filled with His grace and goodness. Embrace this amazing gift of forgiveness today, and experience the transformative power of Christ’s love.