Being both saint and sinner means that most believers are well-acquainted with the pull of wanting to do the right thing, while struggling to resist the strong desire to do the wrong thing. Uncontrolled consumerism, excessive competitiveness and looseness with the truth are all sins that occur in the life of most believers. Sometimes it is easier for us to see these or other sins in the lives of those around us before we acknowledge them in ourselves.
Since we are in bondage to sin – a captivity from which we cannot free ourselves, forgiveness needs outside help. Without forgiveness, there would be a chaotic void with all of us on a hamster wheel of wrongdoing, going around and around and unable to change or go anywhere. Thus, the life-giving Holy Breath blows over us, bringing Divine forgiveness and bringing us back into right relationship with God.
That course correction in our relationship with God gives us the guidance and ability to correct our relationships with one another. It is difficult to accept the mercy that God promises if we are unwilling to extend or accept that mercy from other human beings. Forgiveness is a key to life in Christ.
This message is excerpted from the Bible study “The Apostles’ Creed” by Julia Seymour in the November 2017 Gather magazine.
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