Mark 3:28
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them.
God hates sin, but He surely loves the sinner. The wages for sin is death, and the price for God's forgiveness is high, but He paid the price Himself. By Christ's loving act of grace, believers are eternally freed from the penalty and guilt of sin. "Without the shedding of Blood, there is no forgiveness." Once we're covered by the Blood of Christ, God doesn't keep a record of our sins. Our forgiveness is total and complete.
In 1902, an eighteen-year-old neighbor, Alexander, grabbed Maria Goretti from her steps and tried to rape her. When Maria said that she would rather died than submit, Alexander began stabbing her with a knife. As she lay in the hospital, she forgave Alexander before she died. Her death didn't end her forgiveness, however.
Alexander was captured and was unrepentant until he had a dream that he was in a garden. Maria was there and gave him flowers. When he woke, he was a changed man, repenting of his crime and living a reformed life. She is called a martyr and later was canonized as saint not only because she fought against Alexander's attempts at sexual assault. The most important aspect of her story is her forgiveness of her attacker -- her concern for her enemy extending even beyond death.
Almighty Father, I need to feel that I have forgiveness from You. So often my good intentions do not become what I want them to be, and so often the good I want to do, I don’t do. It is hard to face up to the wrong that is in my life. When I feel Your forgiveness, I feel clean and good inside and so free to be what You want me to be. Help me feel this goodness, and strengthen me to forgive those who have wronged me. May I follow the example of
“I sin, but You forgive
I hated, but You love.
In my life, You are the only One I need
In my death, may Your face the only one I see.”
My faithfulness and my mercy shall be with Him.
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