We all know the guilt that comes with doing something wrong. As children, we knew our parents had this way of always finding out what we did, even when we thought we were clever enough not to get caught. Sometimes the guilt is so overwhelming that we go to the other person and confess our transgression before we are exposed for our wrongdoing. To hear a true, heartfelt “I’m sorry” from the offender and “I forgive you” from the offended brings relief, reconciliation, and joy to both parties.
Our sin and disobedience is never hidden from God, so when we confess it to him and repent, it brings him great joy to forgive us. Our joy can be restored because our record is clear with God. It is just as if we had never sinned. He already paid our debt that he did not owe. We should celebrate our forgiveness with joy and thanksgiving to a God that loves us, forgives us, and accepts us right where we are. Serve him and praise him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength!
Romans 4: 7-8 (NLT) - “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin.”