Updated Monday, March 31, 2008

Formations lesson for April 6: Unfinished Business

By R. Kevin Johnson

Focal Passage: Acts 1:15-26

My friend Lawrence is one of the most thoughtful and loving pastors I know. He has served many years in local church ministry and is a gifted Bible teacher. He is also a pastoral counselor who works with people who are struggling with a wide range of issues in their spiritual lives.

Lawrence tells me that he often counsels with Christians who are suffering guilt or remorse over unconfessed sin. It is necessary to seek forgiveness for this failing so that they can be truly free in their faith and remain effective in their work for the kingdom. Equally common are believers who seek counseling because they are burdened over situations from their pasts. These are folks who have asked God for forgiveness; however, they continue to feel shame and deep regret over their wrongdoing. This self-inflicted disgrace has robbed them of joy, stalemated their spiritual growth, and kept them from being effective witnesses for Christ.

I asked Lawrence how he responds to folks who are struggling like this. He told me the following:

"First, I remind them that they must ask God for forgiveness and repent of their sin. Once they do this, God grants forgiveness and wipes the slate clean."

This explanation reminds me of the beautiful words of the psalmist: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:8-12).

Lawrence continued, "Second, I remind them that once they earnestly seek forgiveness and the Lord grants it, returning to their knees to ask forgiveness a second time is an exercise in futility. When you ask forgiveness for a sin that the Lord has already absolved, His response is 'what sin?'

"Third, I tell them that it is Satan's character to attempt to confuse believers. It is Satan who wants us to believe that we are worthless sinners. It is up to Christians to remember that yes, we are sinners - however, we are saved by the grace of God. The bumper sticker says it best: 'The next time Satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future!'"

My conversation with Lawrence led me to ponder what unfinished (or finished!) business from my past might be keeping me from being of use to the Father as I strive to serve Him daily.