Ready for forgiveness?

Yesterday, I wrote my thoughts about a teacher who insisted he felt no guilt about beating a 14-year-old student over the head with a barbell. Although he had apologized to the boy and his family, he focused blame elsewhere. From the reaction I received, I think I need to clarify the point I was trying to make.

In contrast to the teacher who was the focus of yesterday’s post, I’d like to share an excerpt from a letter written by David Powell, a Texas death row inmate scheduled to be executed on June 15 for the murder of police officer Ralph Ablanedo. In the letter, which Powell sent to the family of Officer Ablanedo last year, he said, “I am infinitely sorry that I killed Ralph Ablanedo. I shot Officer Ablanedo and I take responsibility for his death. In a few frightful seconds, I stole from you and the world the precious and irreplaceable life of a good man, and destroyed your worlds of shared love, dreams, and possibilities….There is no excuse for what I did….In thirty-one years of imprisonment, I have had much time to contemplate my sin."

Just for a moment, and for the sake of argument, let us assume that the words of yesterday's teacher and today's convicted murderer accurately reflect the state of their hearts. Which of these two men do you think is in a better position to receive the forgiveness of God?

No one would argue that murder is by far the more serious crime. But – again assuming that their words accurately convey their feelings – which of these two men is repentant?

I am not trying to judge either man by bringing up this line of thinking. Only God can judge. Only God knows the state of our hearts. And although I slip and fall regularly, I am fully aware that I am commanded NOT to judge others. (Besides, I have plenty enough sin to deal with in my own life… but that’s another story.)

My point is this: until we are willing to take responsibility for our sin and to ask forgiveness, can we expect to receive the forgiveness of God? Even a God whose mercies are boundless?

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.