We cannot cover our own sins. We must uncover or acknowledge them to God
which leads to God’s forgiveness and mercy.
David led by example: “I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity
have I not hid. I said, I will confess
my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”
(Psalm 32:5) The Lord grants mercy to those who obey Him: “Many sorrows shall
be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him
about.” (Psalm 32:10) When we trust in Him, we will obey Him.
Jesus adds to Heavenly Father’s conditions of mercy: we must not harbor resentment or unforgiveness if we truly want God’s mercy for ourselves; the mercy we show others is the mercy we’ll receive: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt 6:14-15, see also Mark 11:25-26) We are further commanded to forgive one another: “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin. I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. And ye ought to say in your hearts – let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.” (D & C 64:9-11, see also Rev. 20:12 & 2 Tim. 4:14).
Jesus knew forgiveness brings joy: our “Sorrow shall be
turned to joy.” (Jn. 16:20) Jesus came “that [we] might have life, and
that [we] might have it more abundantly.” (Jn. 10:10) Living with sin or
even bitterness and resentment is certainly not ‘abundant life.” He showed us
the way and we are to help others find the way when Jesus commanded: “Ye are
the light of the world….Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt.
5:14, 16) Letting your light shine begins with releasing resentment and
forgiving others who have wronged you.
So, let your light shine today. Be a beacon that draws others unto
Christ. Leave any bitterness and all
worries behind: “Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee: He
shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22), “But they that
wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings
as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not
faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Go forth and “walk as children of light.” (Eph. 5:8)
Grace & Peace
