Forgiveness - The Ultimate Covering

Covered by the Blood of Christ

I keep coming back to this truth and blessing: we are covered by the blood of Christ. 

When we repent - turn away from our sinful ways, and we believe in Jesus Christ as son of God who died for our sins - for the forgiveness of our sins- we are saved.

There is something so central — so pinnacle — about believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus. It is the place where everything changes. Through the cross, Jesus made the way for us to move from death to life. When we turn away from our evil tendencies, and we say YES to Jesus - we receive the truth that He died for our sins, and when we accept the gift of the forgiveness He offers, we are forgiven. We are free.

Free from the weight of sin. Free from striving to cover our shame on our own. Free because Christ has covered what we could never cover ourselves. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

And yet, we are still human. We still stumble, and our flesh is still weak. But now, we are being renewed. Our old nature is dying daily, and Christ is forming something new in us.

When we chose this life with Jesus, we are clothed in Him. He covers us. With His covering, we become alive, and in that aliveness, we are called to get up daily and GO and be disciples. That is something more than just checking a box that claims we are believers, but BECAUSE we are believers, we have a new heart that desires to get up and GO and follow His command to Love God and to love others.

In loving others - I can't think of a more clear connection between how God loved us by sacrificing His one and only son, Jesus to be crucified on the cross so that our sins may be forgiven. When the scriptures remind us to live like Christ, and to be like that of Jesus, I think that is more than simply being kind to others, preaching the word, being generous and giving; but ultimately - forgiving.

¹ Follow God’s example,therefore, as dearly loved children² and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved usand gave himself up for usas a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. John 13:14-15

And Philippians 2 calls us to imitate Christ's humility.

That is why forgiveness matters so much.

Jesus calls us not only to receive forgiveness, but also to extend it — again and again, “7 x 77” We are called to forgive because our Father has forgiven us. In Matthew 18:21-35 the parable of the unmerciful servant reminds us that forgiveness is an ongoing practice, just as living out our faith is ongoing. This parable also gives us a harsh reminder that when we hold unforgiveness in our own hearts, we too face unforgiveness from our Father. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." The covering of forgiveness is is not some casual notion to delay, but a most precious gift to give and recieve.

But I keep asking myself: what is forgiveness, really?

Forgiveness is a choice.

It is letting go of offense.

It is humility.

It is protection of the heart.

It does not mean pretending something did not hurt. It does not mean allowing harm to continue. Forgiveness can still include honesty, boundaries, and the boldness to speak truth. But forgiveness releases the debt we are tempted to hold over another person.

Forgiveness - much like strength training and exercise, is a practice. It's not always easy. We don't always want to do it, we don't always feel like doing it, but rarely - hopefully never - do we regret it.

In a way, when we choose to forgive, we reflect Christ. We represent Him. We become a living picture of what He has done for us. Our forgiveness does not save another person — only Jesus can do that — but it can point them toward Him. It can shine a light on the covering Christ offers.

To those we chose to forgive, they may or may not receive that blessing. They may not understand it. They may not respond the way we hope. But our choice to forgive still matters, because it reveals something of Christ.

This idea of being covered goes all the way back to the garden.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. Their covering was man-made. It was an attempt to hide their shame, and to rely on their own abilities. But God, in His mercy, covered them Himself with garments of skin. Even there, we see a picture of sacrifice, atonement, and God’s desire to bring His people back into His care.

From the beginning, mankind has tried to hide, fix, strive, and cover sin in our own strength. But only God can truly cover us.

Over and over again, people forget, rebel, disobey, and stumble. And over and over again, we are reminded of how deeply we need the Lord. We need Him to guide us. We need Him to forgive us. We need Him to cover us. We need His help and guidance to help us to forgive, because let's face it, sometimes forgiving others is not always easy. We can too easily be tempted to hold onto grudges or replay scenarios, or latch onto hurtful wounds, thus condemning others - and that brings up a whole new conversation about the log in one's own eye - I'll save that for another post!

Even in struggle, God reminds us of our need for Him. Jacob wrestled and was renamed Israel - The name Jacob means, one who wrestles with God' and the name Israel means, God prevails. Remember that - when we struggle, yet put God ahead of us - God always prevails!

Apostle Paul also carried weakness and suffering that God did not take away from him. His struggles reminded him of his reliance on God. He learned to boast in his weakness because it revealed the strength of Christ.

In the places where we are weak, needy, humbled, and unable to save ourselves, we are called to see the Lord more clearly and called to rely on Him, to trust in Him. His ways are better! Far better is His covering - His sacrifice, than our own fig leaf coverings of doing things our own way and by our own understanding.

So if that means our struggles in life, our struggles in forgiveness (of ourselves, or of others), any trials we face - remember Christ's covering for us. Turn away from an unrepentant, unforgiving heart, and turn towards the cross - where loving God and loving others unite.

Being covered by Christ means we no longer have to hide.

We no longer have to sew together our own fragile fig leaves and pretend we are whole. We can come honestly before God, confess our sin, receive His mercy, and live under the covering of Jesus.

And then, as forgiven people, we are called to forgive.

Not because it is easy.

Not because the offense did not matter.

But because Christ has covered us first.

His forgiveness becomes the pattern for ours. His mercy becomes the covering we live under. And His Spirit helps us extend that mercy to others — one choice, one surrender, one act of forgiveness at a time.