Forgiveness and Grace

May 9

Today, as the Underground, we come together in prayer and fasting. Every great move of God in the Bible and throughout history begins with Extraordinary Prayer and Fasting. From the other side of eternity, we will find that the most influential people were not, perhaps, Presidents or Prime Ministers, but the people who walked with God through passionate prayer.

Movement 1: Forgiven

Read:

O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.
Psalms 86:5 NLT
“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.
Isaiah 43:25 NLT
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
Psalms 103:12 NLT
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9 NLT

Reflect:

We’ve all been there. Those times when we can’t believe the choice we made. The choice hurt us, someone else, God, or all three. We can’t take it back. Then guilt and shame set in.

Jeff Vandersteldt, friend of the Underground, encourages us to think about redefining sin. Often, it’s about behavior – the thing we did that was wrong. This definition makes sin about behavior instead of identity. He says, “Sin is any way any of us fall short of what God is like. We are image bearers, and we are not doing that.”

So, as we seek to be image bearers, we must remember this truth: we are forgiven. Our God is good and ready to forgive. He blots out our sins and never thinks of them again. He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west.

Pray:

Use this time of prayer as reflection, simple confession, and the receiving of forgiveness. Ask God to bring to mind times when you have sinned. Times when you fell short of what he is like and did not bear his image. Confess that
sin to him. Then sit and receive his forgiveness. Let it wash over you. Hear him saying to you, “I forgive you. I have unfailing love for you.”

Movement 2: Now It’s Our Turn Read:

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15 NLT
‘Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.’
Colossians 3:13
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

Reflect:

We’ve also all been here: those times when we have been sinned against and hurt by someone else. Then, God gen- tly reminds us that we have a part to play in this as well. We are to forgive those who have sinned against us. Why do we do this? Because he has forgiven us. These two quotes may be helpful:

The pain and hurt others cause us is real and great. But the pain of living with bitterness and unforgiveness can poison your soul and destroy you. When we forgive others, we are not saying what they did was OK, but we are releasing them to God and letting go of its hold on us. Forgiveness does not forget, but it does set free from bitterness and grudges. 1

After all, to forgive is to show love, and love is the most important thing we can give to our friends, family, neighbors, and even strangers. 2

Pray:

Ask God to highlight a situation where you need to forgive someone. Pray now for the presence, peace, and interven- tion of Christ in any hurt or betrayal you may be carrying in your heart, asking for the strength to forgive. Ask Him to help you show love to this person(s) in this way.

Movement 3: Grace

Read:

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.
Ephesians 1:7-8 NLT

Reflect:

I remember when I learned a definition of the word “grace” that I could begin to wrap my mind around: Grace: unde- served love. It is not often that we encounter humans who offer any amount of grace. Then we hear of God’s grace – all-encompassing, never-ending, undeserved love. How can this be real? His kindness (again, unlike human kindness) is showered on us...along with two other things: wisdom and understanding. He wants to give us a glimpse of wisdom and understanding into all He has for us.