Home / Columnists / Edward Cortez / The Joy of the Forgiven Soul

The Joy of the Forgiven Soul

edward-cortez

By: Edward Cortez

 

When Abraham Lincoln was asked how he was going to treat the rebellious south after the Civil War he said he would treat them as if they never tried to secede from the Union. Considered the bloodiest war in American history, the death toll of over 620,000 of the population caused by both sides in the war was enormous and hard to imagine. Yet Abraham Lincoln chose to forgive the defeated Confederate soldiers. That must have been a big relief that greatly contributed to the healing of a deeply wounded and fractured nation.

To be forgiven and to know that your offense has been set aside is the greatest feeling in the world. Consider the excitement of David when he declared, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered (Psalm 32:1).” There is joy unspeakable in knowing that we no longer stand condemned for our sins. And this points us to the cross of Jesus who took away our punishment on the cross.

In Psalm chapter 32 David shows us that the crushing blows of a guilty-ridden conscience can become too unbearable if a person finds no relief and assurance of forgiveness. David knew this full well. He fell into grievous sins with devastating consequences – the loss of joy and the death of a child. And when the moment came that he was exposed and convicted of the sins of adultery and murder he sunk into the depths of despair and depression. His energy ebbing away, he confesses, “…my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer (Psalm 32:3,4).”

What then is the remedy to a soul that has wandered away from his Maker and followed his own path? David shows us the path of restoration. He turns to God with all honesty and humility and then prays, “I acknowledge my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin (Psalm 32:5).”

We turn to the God of mercy and grace. It doesn’t matter how much we think we offended God. All He requires is that we humble ourselves the way David did. We confess our sins to Him. We repent of our old ways. And receive the gift of eternal life by faith in the finished work of Jesus.

The joy that follows after confession and repentance is captured in David’s beautiful words, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:11)” The joy and the freedom that come through repentance is beyond compare. And it’s free! ”

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit” – 1 Peter 3:18.

 

About administrator

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Scroll To Top