"Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." (Acts 3:19 ESV)
I’ve always picture this verse with a large ledger: my name followed up with all my unrighteous acts: idolatry. insufficient trust. ugly thoughts. covetousness. impatience. pride. I picture these sins printed out carefully, with supporting evidence underneath each line item. And until today, I always imagined repentance ushering in some great blob of ink, covering each transgression but leaving the page ink blotted and bleary, the lingering smear of my sin still evident.
Today I saw it differently: each transgression being blotted with white rag and a high-impact cleaning agent. Like a wine stain from white carpet; the sin is literally lifted from the surface altogether, absorbed into the cloth forever. All that is left behind is my name and a clean space to begin again.
This high-impact cleaning agent is the blood of Jesus, and when applied, it somehow washes white as snow. I don’t understand mechanics of it, but thankfully comprehension isn’t a requirement for receipt. (I don’t understand exactly how the internet works, either, but I’m sure glad to have it on my phone!)
We apply the blood of our Savior to our personal ledger through repentance and we apply the blood to the ledger of others through forgiveness. Jesus freely and completely pardoned us. How can we possibly prosecute one another?
All this forgiveness (both the receiving and releasing) elevates our existence to another level: we learn to live with blissfully short accounts, ever ready to engage relationally with God and man alike. God forgives our trespasses and we forgive the trespasses of others.
The wake of repentance and forgiveness is refreshing. The original Greek employs the word anapsyxis, which means a cooling or refreshing, a recovery of breath, a revival. I read of breath and I am reminded of the Holy Spirit’s power to blow fresh wind into our spiritual sails, strength into weary frames and wisdom to befuddled minds. We need the breath He brings.
I wonder: what if we are a suffering society with prolific anxiety because of collective unconfessed sin and unreleased forgiveness? Our body certainly pays the price when we live in unconfessed sin but also when we refuse to forgive. I’m not implying that all anxiety is a result of personal sin or unforgiveness, but I am realizing how little preaching we’ve heard in the last ten years on these two critical tenets of the Christian faith. Repentance leads to refreshing. Forgiveness leads to freedom. As growing believers, we must be adept at both.
"Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13b NIV)
Lord, let our lives be marked by ongoing repentance and unwarranted forgiveness. Make us aware of all our infractions against You (little and large alike) and let our lives flow in forgiveness. Keep grudge-holding just out of our reach. Let us love one another as You do: fully aware of the potential for pain but gratuitous with grace. Infuse our lives with Your Spirit. Amen.