Of Course!

One of the things that I know most certainly about myself is that I am a sinner. Not just that I do sinful things (though that is absolutely true), but in the deepest fibers of my being I am treasonous against the God who made me and redeemed me. Almost thirteen years ago I committed to share my life in marriage with another sinner. And then we produced four more little sinners. You can imagine with so many sinners sharing life, that there is a lot of sin happening in our home-- and because of the work of Christ in our lives, there is also lots of asking forgiveness.

Over the course of our marriage, Shorty and I have become quick to ask forgiveness when we have sinned against one another (much of the time, anyway). My standard response to Shorty's asking forgiveness is, "Of course." I don't remember when I started this, but it grows out of an increasing understanding of how much I've been forgiven in Christ. And also out of my desire to be unified with my Shorty in love.

Do you know, Christian, that when you ask God for forgiveness, His response is "Of Course!"? And I don't just mean, the first time you realized that you were a sinner in need of grace. I mean every time. Christ paid for your EVERY sin at the cross! So, when you come before your Father, broken because you have failed yet again, He is EAGER to forgive you and restore you to fellowship with Him. So draw near with CONFIDENCE to the throne of grace! =)

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Ephesians 1:7-10
 
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14
 
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:12-22