I write a lot on forgiveness, not because it’s easy but because it is necessary. This week, God showed me someone else I need to forgive, but I confess that I have a long road ahead.

Whenever something comes up that I think I’ve conquered but apparently have not, it upsets me. How can I have known God for as long as I have and yet do things that displease Him? Then I remember the Apostle Paul:

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12).

It is not a sin to struggle; sin occurs if I stop fighting and let the sin overcome me. My struggle right now is forgiveness. Yours may be something else. The remedy would be the same: acknowledging the sin to the Father and asking for His help to get rid of it. Read pertinent Scriptures that will keep truth ever before you.

I implore you not to rest and accept that this is who you are. If God’s Word forbids it, there is no excuse for your behavior. He is merciful, but He died to make us free from sin. Don’t crucify Him afresh by wilfully continuing in your sin.

“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).

My prayer is for that cleansing. I trust that yours is as well.