I love finding matching shirts and pajamas for Ellie and Jay. It’s even more of a treat if they are gender neutral so eventually Jay will fit into Ellie’s. However, Ellie or Jay always seem to permanently stain their matching clothing. Maybe that’s a sign they are not into matching!?!?! No matter how hard I try I can’t not see the stain. The shirts are not the same. They stay hanging in their closet because they no longer feel good enough to wear. I just can’t seem to look past the stain.
I’m so thankful that Jesus can look past our stains and see our hearts. Even when others cannot. Even the big stains. Not only can He look past our stains and see who He has called us to be but when we ask for forgiveness He does just that.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
When we receive His forgiveness and turn away from what we know is not pleasing to Him, His word says that He no longer sees our sin.
“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12
When Jesus was hanging on the cross one of the criminals hanging beside Him asked for His forgiveness. Guess what? Jesus gave Him just that. Jesus chose to look beyond his criminal past and respond with love.
“One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43 NLT
There are family, friends and strangers who have yet to show you grace and forgiveness. That’s their choice! You can’t make anyone show you forgiveness. Only Jesus can lead a person to a place of healing that allows them the strength to forgive. In a figurative way, maybe you feel they view you as one of the criminals being put to death? They are punishing you with unforgiveness. You can’t wait for earthly people to forgive you before you allow yourself to walk in God’s freedom. FOCUS on this truth: If you are truly repentant Jesus will forgive you. He will forgive you even when the world will not. He will forgive you and those stains, all of them, including the set in deep ones that no amount of OxiClean can rid will be washed away, removed, blotted out. Gone!
Shine4Him 