TLGF

Our culture loves acronyms! I read texts and various forms of social media that use SMH(Shake My Head), BTW(By The Way) LOL and many other acronyms. I use some myself. Some are funny, some are used just to abbreviate what we want to say. Some are less than discreet and some represent organizations, or a way of life. I have an acronym for you today that represents healing. This is serious, not a fun one that we should flippantly use. It is Truth about God’s Love, Grace and Forgiveness.

Some are proud of who they are, how they live and what they did in their past. Some are happy about circumstances that happened in their past and many are not. There is a lot of confusion among people, between what is right and what is wrong. Many make decisions based on what is considered acceptable now and what is convenient, and how they feel at the time. What some believe to be true is often minimized or reduced to another definition altogether based on what people rationalize. They don’t feel that they are wrong or feel guilty for what they do and encourage others to do.

One example of this I see, is the topic of abortion. Many of those who support abortion and Pro-Choice say that what they are expecting is not truly a baby, it is a fetus or a “parasite.” Another example is that they say that it is not a baby until after it is actually born and if it is wanted! As a result, many women are told that they will not feel bad about aborting their baby. Many popular celebrities are telling women that they don’t have any guilt or shame!

Unfortunately though, after they abort, many realize what they did and they regret this for a very long time.

The feeling and realization of guilt though, does not apply only to abortion. It applies to many other choices people make as well. At times, we have false guilt too and just simply wish we had done something differently.

One definition that I found that describes Truth best, is that it is a verified, or indisputable fact, proposition, principle or the like. When we seek and accept what is right, we can move forward in our life. We may still remember from time to time, difficult situations that happened, but when we advance and not look back, we seek to do what is right from then on. We don’t have to be afraid anymore and we can be confident knowing that we don’t have to beat ourselves up continually with all of the pain and regret from our past. Philippians 3:13-14 says: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” This is the truth we must live! Forget what is behind and move on to the goal ahead!

With all of these feelings, beliefs and guilt that many have, we should realize Love, God’s love specifically. He gave His life through His Son, Jesus Christ. He did this knowing that we do wrong and have a sin nature. He wants us to know that He is available for us, and ready to heal the hurt we have in our life. 1 John 4:16-18: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Grace is undeserved favor! We don’t deserve this! He didn’t have to give His life for us. He wanted however to have a personal relationship with every person that He created. 2 Timothy 1:9 “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” Two other verses that we can find helpful are Hebrews 4:16 and Ephesians 1:7.

Forgiveness means that we recognize that we made a mistake and confess( agree and admit) that we have done wrong, and we will have a restored relationship with God. 1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

I know that it is very hard to forget our past and realize that we will continue to make mistakes. The more though that we realize first, what is Truth, that He offers Love, Grace, Forgiveness, the more we grow and make changes in our life and regret fewer things in our lives.

There is hope for the helpless

Rest for the weary

And love for the broken heart

And there is grace and forgiveness

Mercy and healing

He’ll meet you wherever you are

Cry Out To Jesus By Third Day

Some resources that you may find helpful are:

• Holy Bible
• You Version Application
• Focus On The Family
• Project Rachel