The Russian Orthodox Church observed a tradition on February 26th called "Forgiveness Sunday". On this special day the church members ask forgiveness of all their family and friends and let go of any grudges that they may be harboring toward others. This tradition originated in the first century church and is a way for the Orthodox believers to prepare themselves for the season of Lent.
I'm not really too knowledgeable about the Orthodox church but anytime forgiveness is taking place it's probably a good thing. I also reflected a bit on the whole notion of a day of forgiveness. It sounds a bit lacking doesn't it? Just a "day" of forgiveness, that's kind of how man goes about eternally important issues isn't it? I'm sure they have good intentions but somehow it just seems anemic. It made me think about God the Father's method of securing our forgiveness. He sent His only Son to die on the cross in our stead, in our place. He laid on Christ the iniquity (sin) of us all. Jesus carried the sins of the whole world, He bled, He died and He physically rose from the dead so that you and I could be justified, forgiven and pardoned. When Jesus died on that cross over 2000 years ago it wasn't just a day of forgiveness it was the portal to total and continuous forgiveness. The Bible tells us clearly that He forgave all our sins and He forgives all our sins all the time. Now that is important because even though we become Christians when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we still possess a heart that is, as Jeremiah described it, desperately wicked. Now Christ took all that into consideration when He died for us and He provides for us a "sea of forgiveness", we are swimming in a sea of forgiveness! I love what the writer of Hebrews said about Jesus saving and forgiving power...
I'm not really too knowledgeable about the Orthodox church but anytime forgiveness is taking place it's probably a good thing. I also reflected a bit on the whole notion of a day of forgiveness. It sounds a bit lacking doesn't it? Just a "day" of forgiveness, that's kind of how man goes about eternally important issues isn't it? I'm sure they have good intentions but somehow it just seems anemic. It made me think about God the Father's method of securing our forgiveness. He sent His only Son to die on the cross in our stead, in our place. He laid on Christ the iniquity (sin) of us all. Jesus carried the sins of the whole world, He bled, He died and He physically rose from the dead so that you and I could be justified, forgiven and pardoned. When Jesus died on that cross over 2000 years ago it wasn't just a day of forgiveness it was the portal to total and continuous forgiveness. The Bible tells us clearly that He forgave all our sins and He forgives all our sins all the time. Now that is important because even though we become Christians when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we still possess a heart that is, as Jeremiah described it, desperately wicked. Now Christ took all that into consideration when He died for us and He provides for us a "sea of forgiveness", we are swimming in a sea of forgiveness! I love what the writer of Hebrews said about Jesus saving and forgiving power...
Hebrews 7:25
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
He saves and forgives us to the "uttermost". The word means completely, perfectly and utterly. He forgives completely and He ever lives to make intercession for us! It's not just a day of forgiveness it is a state of forgiveness. This forgiveness is received by simply resting and relying in the work of Christ on the cross! Watch the little 3 minute video in the sidebar, come to Christ right now, be forgiven!
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