Interesting Spin on Forgiveness!
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At the Ascent Conference a few weeks ago I heard Doug Weiss (A Nationally recognized Counselor) speak on the topic of forgiveness. He shared something like this:
Would you rather be:
- Forgiven and Sick OR
- Forgiven and Healed?
I John 1:9 says this: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
So, confess to God. An independent and private confession approach and you will indeed be forgiven! Cleansed, but not necessarily healed or accountable to change, but certainly forgiven!
On the other hand, James 5:16 says these powerful words: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
So, confessing to God in a given. But, confession to others is not always so easy for us. Instead of an independent forgiveness approach, this one is more interdependent within community. But, in doing so, the Bible says that we will not only be forgiven, but we will be forgiven and healed!! ...and accountable for that matter...because they know now!
So, I leave you with that same question again:
Forgiven and sick?
OR
Forgiven and healed?
Your call.
I think that it's super important that we involve (trusted) others in our journey of forgiveness and accountability!
What do you think? Weigh in.