Ever considered what a redeeming trait is? Given our tendency to be self-critical, let’s capture every thought, submitting it to Jesus! For powerful fatherhood’s sake, actively embracing forgiveness is crucial. This benefits our wives, kids, and the world, bringing glory to God!
Redeeming past mistakes
As fathers, we often bear the weight of responsibilities and may carry the burden of past mistakes. Much like short-term memory, we may find ourselves revisiting and dwelling on sins that God has already forgiven. This can hinder our ability to be the fathers our wives and children need us to be.
Redeeming through accepting God’s forgiveness
In recognizing the biblical truth of God’s forgiveness, fathers can find liberation from guilt and condemnation. Psalm 103:12 (NIV) reassures, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” When we accept God’s forgiveness, it becomes imperative to align our thoughts with long-term memory, actively choosing not to bring up past sins that have been forgiven.
Redeeming our family through kindness and compassion
In the context of family, dwelling on forgiven sins can negatively impact our relationships. Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) advises, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Applying this principle, fathers can create a home environment characterized by forgiveness and grace, mirroring God’s love for us.
Redeeming our future through love, humility, and understanding
Furthermore, as fathers strive to forget what is behind and press on toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV), they become better equipped to lead their families with love, humility, and understanding. This attitude fosters a sense of security and trust within the family, enabling children to grow in an environment grounded in God’s principles.
Embracing the biblical concept of forgiveness and aligning thoughts with God’s perspective empowers fathers to lead. Actively letting go of past mistakes, fathers model humility, grace, and resilience, contributing to a harmonious family life that glorifies God. This way, fathers fulfill their role as spiritual leaders, demonstrating the transformative power of God’s forgiveness for their families’ well-being and God’s glory.
This year I am using the 365 Daily Devotions book I received for Christmas and applying it towards being dads. It’s called WALKING WITH GOD by DAVID JEREMIAH. It’s exciting to get to learn from a new resource this year as we have tried different options the past two years and will keep working through this one for 2024. For more information about the author and his ministry, visit: DavidJeremiah.org.
Topic: ERASED
Verse: Psalms 103:12 (NIV)
as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Let’s actively capture every thought, surrendering them to Jesus, who, once and for all, sacrificed for our forgiveness and salvation. Instead of attempting to reclaim what’s nailed to the cross, let’s leave it there, banished as far as the east is from the west—removed from us! Fathers, let’s cease striving to undo what God erased. Instead, let’s embrace His promises, forgiveness, and love. This choice will bring benefits to our wives, kids, and the world, all for the glory of God!
There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, so we need to let go of the lie “guilty”
Today’s Devotional kicks of pointing out how our “subconscious whispers to us as we agonize over a past sin” with the accusations of being guilty. God’s Word tells us that thanks to Jesus we shouldn’t be allowing guilt to control or manipulate us. Today’s Devotional tells us as Christians when we feel this way how we should be turning to God through confession and forgiveness.
We see through the example of David, how the response of “confessing our sin” opens the door to allowing “God to step in and offer up forgiveness.” Through the story of David and Bathsheba and the sins that came through it how when we turn back to God and confess our sin, He is faithful and righteous to forgive them.
Today’s Devotional points us to the words of Paul from Colossians 2:14:
having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
God wiped out the sin by nailing it to the cross:
In a biblical context, the idea of “wiping out the handwriting of requirements” can be connected to passages like Colossians 2:14, which speaks about Christ “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
In this context, the “handwriting of requirements” refers to the record of our sins and the legal demands or accusations against us due to our transgressions. The biblical understanding is that through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, our sins are forgiven, and the record of our wrongdoing is metaphorically wiped away.
Application-wise, this concept emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting the forgiveness offered through Christ. It encourages believers to live in the freedom and grace provided by God, knowing that the burden of their sins has been removed. It also prompts individuals to extend forgiveness to others, as they have been forgiven.
In practical terms, recognizing the wiping out of the handwriting of requirements can lead to a transformed life, characterized by gratitude, humility, and a commitment to follow the teachings of Christ. It serves as a foundation for a renewed relationship with God and a willingness to extend love and forgiveness to others.
Today’s Devotional speaks to how “just as wiping ink off a piece of parchment erases a debt, God’s forgiveness permanently erases our sins.
Today’s Devotional closes challenging us to let go and let God when it shares:
- “Don’t allow lingering sin to rob you of the blessings that are yours in Christ. Your debt has been erased.”
THOMAS ADAMS
