Access Granted

As I sat with the Lord this morning, He and I discussed a situation for which I need His constant forgiveness.  It is a mindset that took root in childhood, and I cannot seem to really get a hold of it.  I am vigilant over it; I monitor my thoughts and try to take them captive before they manifest sin, but that way of thinking is so rooted in me; I truly struggle with it.  As a result, when I come to the Lord repentant, and in need of forgiveness, I feel like I am taking advantage of His grace, because I have to ask for forgiveness sometimes daily!  Surely, if I were truly repentant, I could overcome this sinful mindset, right? 

The Lord patiently listened to me as I presented my argument. Then He quietly led me to 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  First, He addressed the sin.  "Child (that's what He calls me)", that mindset entered in from trauma that occurred in childhood, and one of the reasons that it remains is that it brought with it shame and guilt.  You have need of understanding concerning my system of forgiveness.  If you can release the guilt and the shame regarding the mindset, you can find freedom." I became still. "Whoa", I thought.  "This is deep."  I said, "Lord, break it down." 

He said, "Renita, think of my forgiveness like a bank account with unlimited funds to which I have given you legal access.   When you go to the bank to make a withdrawal, your completion of a withdrawal slip only acknowledges that you need access to the fund.  It doesn't say a thing about your ability to access the fund; it is simply a request, right?  "That's true," I said.  He continued, "When you come to me and ask for forgiveness, it is simply an acknowledgment that you need to make a withdrawal on your 'Forgiveness Account'.  Because of Jesus' work on cross, you were given access to a completely funded account that belongs to you.  You don't need to ever worry that you won't have access or that somehow you may not qualify to receive what's in the account.  I have given you an identity through the Blood of Jesus that allows you to access what already belongs to you, whether you ever need it or not.  It never runs low, and it never rejects you.  The enemy wants to make you think that you have to qualify for access; that's the truly sinful mindset!  I am faithful (trustworthy) and just (I render what is due) to forgive (abandon all mutual claims) and to cleanse (consecrate for My use) from all unrighteousness (every violation). When you ask for forgiveness, it is simply a withdrawal slip (an acknowledgement that a need exists) that will never be rejected."  If you can first accept that you are ALREADY forgiven before you request it, you can truly deal with what is at the root of your mindset and receive the freedom that you desire.   

"Ok," I said, "what about when I need to extend forgiveness to others?" I countered.  He said, "Renita, do you know how wealthy people remain wealthy?  They remain wealthy because even if they have the cash, they borrow other people's money to fund their projects. They use their cash only as collateral to qualify for a loan, so that they don't have to use their own money on risky projects. That way they don't have to have great credit, because the bank knows if they default on the loan, cash will be available to cover the debt. You can extend forgiveness to others, because your name on the 'Forgiveness Account' guarantees that it can cover any outstanding debt that is owed.  When you extend forgiveness to others, I guarantee you that any debt that is incurred by the one that you forgive has been covered by what is available in your account.  In other words, when you forgive, it costs you nothing, because I am backing the forgiveness funds that you extend to them.  It's my loan, not yours (Proverbs 19:17)." 

Can I tell you that God's simple explanation has brought me great freedom?  Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is LIBERTY (2 Cor 2:17)!  I am grateful to have access to an account that not only guarantees my debts, but it will cover the debts of all that is owed to me! What a mighty God we serve!  Hebrews 4:16 says that we can come BOLDLY before the throne of grace and obtain mercy, because the Blood of Jesus guarantees our access!  Amen.