Jeremiah 50:20 “In those days, at that time,”
declares the Lord,
“search will be made for Israel’s guilt,
but there will be none,
and for the sins of Judah,
but none will be found,
for I will forgive the remnant I spare.

I really don’t think we understand God’s forgiveness very well. When God forgives something, it’s gone, period. It is true that at times the effects of sin linger, but the original offense is simply gone. We have trouble grasping that because we have such trouble forgiving others, and even ourselves. This isn’t the same thing as excusing, which we love to do for ourselves. Genuine forgiveness can only occur when we acknowledge something was bad, whoever did it. That’s why the devil works so hard to get us to excuse ourselves and never forgive others: he doesn’t want to go into hell alone. There is something of an epidemic of mental illness today, and much of it is from this very source, a lack of genuine forgiveness. When we shift blame, we are blocking forgiveness. Recently a crazy thing has appeared, and that is false guilt. “White privilege” and “white guilt” are manufactured by those who want to excuse themselves, and the results are predictably devastating. It is no accident that the devil’s name, Satan, means, “the accuser.” He hates forgiveness because he himself can never be forgiven for his rebellion against God, and he wants to drag as many people as possible down with him. James told us that if we submit to God and resist the devil, the devil will flee from us. (James 4:7) An essential part of resisting the devil is to forgive, others and ourselves. We can do that properly only when we are submitted to God, seeking and accepting His forgiveness. After all, Jesus said very clearly, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

I struggle with this issue constantly, because Japanese society has very little grasp of forgiveness. The language itself interferes, because the word for genuine forgiveness sounds the same as one that means permission, and the average person doesn’t even know the character that actually means forgiveness. I always talk about this in premarital counseling, and in 38 years of doing weddings in Omura, I’ve only encountered 19 people who were familiar with the character that means true forgiveness. That’s one every two years! However, I also know Japanese believers who have had a revelation of God’s forgiveness, and they are both radiant and loving. I am never to stop proclaiming the good news of forgiveness, both that it is necessary and that it is available. I need to resist the devil, who wants people to believe that forgiveness either isn’t necessary or that it’s impossible. When Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing,” from the cross, (Luke 23:34) I must never give up proclaiming that forgiveness.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Proclaiming forgiveness in Japan is certainly a challenge, but nothing is impossible for You. May I be an effective instrument in Your hands, for the salvation of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!