Years ago, I tried to be of help to some people who were caught up in a very difficult situation. I hurt for them and I tried my best to help them, but, clearly, I did not meet their expectations and they were disappointed with me. In time their situation actually worked out amazingly well. But I vividly remember a conversation that took place at the peak of the crisis when they told me that I just hadn’t measured up. I said, “I’m sorry. I really am. I wish I could do better.” They told me that they were offended that I had handled their situation so poorly and they would “never forgive” me for failing them.

To be “never forgiven” is a heavy thing to carry around. I haven’t forgotten it to this day. But think of how awful it would be to be told that by God. What if God were to say, “You didn’t meet my expectations”? Of course, we don’t meet his expectations. We know that. And what if God were to say in response to our telling him that we’re sorry, “I’ll never forgive you”? But that’s not what he says.

Whatever we have done that we shouldn’t have done; whatever we should have done that we didn’t do; when we ask for forgiveness, God forgives. His son Jesus even forgave those responsible for crucifying him, while he was being crucified.

Forgiveness is liberating and when we trust Jesus as our Savior, our burden of failure is lifted and our sins are forgiven!