I'm Sorry Sets You Free

I was having coffee with friends the other day and witnessed a child being disciplined. The child was put into time-out and given the option of saying he was sorry or staying in time out. He chose to stay in time out. I thought at the time how funny it was that he chose to stay in time-out when all he had to do was say I'm sorry to be free. Then I realized, we all have the same decision to make, and many make the same choice he did.

(Hover Mouse over reference to read the verse.)

There are many times in our lives when we have to say "I'm sorry." We are human, and we hurt people -- even when we don't mean to. The words "I'm sorry" are used to restore a broken relationship with the person we wronged. It usually works, if we are truly sorry. There are those times when the other person, also being human, is unwilling to forgive. But what does it mean to truly be sorry? Webster's Dictionary defines sorry as "a feeling of repentance or regret." The words "I'm sorry" would then mean... I regret I did that, and my intent is to never do it again.

While it is important to care for our relationships with each other, there is a greater relationship that has been broken that needs our attention.

God created man for the purpose of being in relationship with Him. The Bible says that God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they realized they were naked and hid from Him. This is what happens when a relationship is broken. We begin to feel shame (naked) and avoid the person we used to enjoy being with. In this case, not only did they feel shame, but they were sentenced (cursed) to die.

This same curse or sentence is passed on to us. Romans 3:23 says that "All have sinned," and Romans 6:23 says the price for that sin is death.

In a broken relationship, it is usually the responsibility of the one who did the wrong to restore the relationship, but in man's relationship with God, there is no way for him to repay his debt. God is Holy. Habakkuk 1:13a He cannot tolerate man's sinful condition. Man cannot be good enough or do enough to make himself Holy and acceptable to God.

Man has a debt to pay because of his sin, but he is like a man in prison with no way to earn anything to pay his debt.

Fortunately for man, God is not only holy and just, but He is also compassionate and full of grace. Isaiah 30:18 He looked and saw our hopeless condition and carried out His plan to rescue us from our prison.

Since the price or debt for our sin is death, shed blood is the only thing that can pay it. In the Old Testament, the Jews sacrificed animals for atonement of sin. Jesus is called the Lamb of God. John 1:29 The reason for this is because God sent Him (His only Son) to be our sacrifice once for all. I Corinthians 15:21-22 Through Jesus, the way has been provided to free us from paying the debt we owe.

When Jesus died, He died to forgive the sins of everyone, but not everyone receives the forgiveness. Why is that? The Bible says in Isaiah 59:20 that the Redeemer has come to those who repent. Jesus said in Matthew 4:17 "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is near."

Unfortunately, even though we have a way out of our prison (forgiveness through the blood of Jesus), not everyone chooses to use it. Forgiveness of our debt is there for the asking, but just like that little boy in time-out, many do not want to admit they have done wrong and say I'm sorry. Even more so, they don't want to change. Remember..."I'm sorry" means my intent is to never do that again. Some may want to change, but may not think they are able to change. The truth is... none of us can change. That's the whole point. When we receive His forgiveness, He makes us new.
II Corinthians 5:17
He puts His spirit in us, so we can (and want to) change our "spots." Admitting we can't do it on our own goes against our (sin) nature, but the minute we stop trying to do what we will never be able to do and let God forgive, cleanse, and begin to mold us, we will trade the stuggle and fight for joy and peace. Isaiah 30:15 says that salvation is found in repentance and rest.

Repentance: Say I'm sorry.
Rest: Stop trying to do God's part.
Trust: Believe He will do His part.
Salvation: Freedom from your debt!