“We want freedom but are resistant to simply do what God says to do. God knew all of this, so He made a way not dependent on our strength. A forgiving way to grab on to Jesus’ outstretched arms, bloody from crucifixion and dripping with redemption. He makes a way for us to simply cooperate with His work of forgiveness — for us to receive and for us to give.”- Lysa TerKeurst
Lysa TerKeurst concludes Chapter 1 of Forgiving What You Can’t Forget as she stresses that her message offers truckloads of grace. Fueled with God’s truth. Because while grace assures us that it’s safe enough to soften our fearful hears, the truth sets us free.
Offering only grace shortchanges us on what it truly takes to heal. Certainly, sometimes it’s hard to hear the truth. Yet, God knows our hearts and souls really need to hear the truth to experience freedom.
Just like Adam and Eve, our human hearts are prone to cover things up. Thus, each of us finds a place to run to where it’s dark. Rather than risk what the light exposes.
However, we need to understand that forgiveness isn’t always about doing something for a human relationship. Instead, it means we’re obedient to what God has instructed us to do.
In conclusion, Lysa exhorts us to take God’s hand to escape the pit of pain:
“The scenery for your life should not be the pit of pain that person dragged you down into. . . . Let go of clawing your way through the muddy pit, hoping there’s some reward buried there. There’s not. Take God’s hand, and as words of forgiveness are released from your lips, it’s like scattering seeds of beautiful flowers. The mud of the pit becomes fertile soil with potential. And before long, you’ll be dancing through all that has blossomed and bloomed around you.”
Today’s question: Do you find it hard to grab on to Jesus’ outstretched arms and follow His forgiving way? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Spiritual theory or cruel command?”
