- Wed Dec 29, 2010 3:29 pm
#173226
It is something we all go through daily. Satan’s MO is to constantly exploit our temptations, to drive a wedge between us and God. Unfortunately, he’s pretty good at it.
The most important gift of Christianity is the forgiveness of sins, the complete forgiveness of sins. When we truly repent of our sins, they are washed away, blotted out of the book of life completely. I like to use the bible’s image of being cloaked in a white robe. At that moment, I am as close to God as I can be while here on earth. That is, until I soil it again, and need a new robe.
When I forgive someone who has hurt me, I use that imagery. I must follow God’s example of forgiveness. It must be complete. I know that God does not snoop to see if I might offend again and he doesn’t waste time thinking of those with whom I’ve sinned. When I forgive a person, I visually put them in the same white robe that God affords me. If I then were to revisit the pain they’ve caused me, it would be like God revisiting my repented sins. Like crucifying Christ twice for the same sin. I am sure that would not please my Father.
I then give myself the gifts of peace and serenity, of looking only forward to what God has planned for me and those I love.
Lorna, I would like to suggest that when your finances recover you purchase a white robe, the fluffy, terry type that the best hotels provide. My son bought one for me on his senior high school trip to Disney World. After nightly prayers and sleep, I wake and put on that white robe and start my day.
Except for the Hollywood Tower Hotel logo, it’s perfect.