Forgive Me, Forgive Me

Read: 1 John 1:5-9 “And please forgive me for the lie I told. In Jesus’s name, amen.” Aubrey climbed into bed, and Mom gave her a kiss and turned out the light. After lying to her mother a few days earlier, Aubrey had asked God to forgive her. But every now and then she still felt guilty, so she’d ask Him again. The next afternoon, Mom suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, Aubrey, I was supposed to ask if you wanted to go shopping with Grandma this afternoon, and it slipped my mind! I’m afraid it’s too late now. I’m so sorry.” “Oh no!” Aubrey wailed. “That would have been so much fun!” Mom felt bad. “Can you forgive me?” Aubrey sighed and nodded. As the family sat down for supper that evening, Mom looked at Aubrey. “I’m so sorry about forgetting the shopping trip,” she said. “Please forgive me.” “It’s okay, Mom,” Aubrey replied as she helped herself to some chicken. “This looks so good!” After supper, Aubrey helped Mom clear the table. “Aubrey, I feel so bad you missed being able to go out with Grandma,” Mom said. “Will you forgive me?” Aubrey gave her mother a puzzled look. “Mom, I told you it’s okay,” she said, not noticing her mother’s smile. When Aubrey was ready for bed that night, she prayed, once again asking Jesus to forgive her for the lie she had confessed so often. Then she jumped into bed. “About the shopping trip,” Mom began as she tucked the blankets around Aubrey, “can you forgive me for—” “Mom! You’ve apologized over and over!” Aubrey said. “I forgave you the first time, but you sound as though you don’t believe me!” Mom smiled. “Do you think you might sound the same way to Jesus?” she asked gently. “You sinned when you lied to me the other day. You were sorry and confessed it to me and to Jesus, and I think you know I forgave you. Jesus says He forgives you too—He died for all your sins on the cross so you could be forgiven. Yet you continue to confess the same thing over and over—as though you don’t believe Him.” Aubrey was startled. “I guess you’re right,” she said. “Thank you for forgiving me, Mom. I’ll thank Jesus for forgiving me too!” –Hazel W. Marett How about you? Do you still feel guilty after you’ve confessed a sin to Jesus? Do you continue to ask for forgiveness over and over? When you sin, you should confess it to God—and sometimes to someone else too—and ask to be forgiven. Then remember that Jesus, who died to take the punishment for all your sins, says He forgives you the first time you ask Him to. Believe Him and know you’re forgiven. Today’s key verse: 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 (NKJV) Today’s key thought: Accept God’s forgiveness