A woman's story · The Hem of His Garment
Grace and Forgiveness
At the beginning of this study—even nearly halfway through—I thought this study was going to zero in on what to do about past abuses, especially the painful childhood sexual abuses I went through. This was not the exact purpose of The Hem of His Garment study. God’s ways are always better and higher than my ways. Isaiah 55:9 ESV: “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
“Healing is merely part of the sanctification process. We are all victims of wrong thinking, and as we exchange our wrong thinking for the truth from God’s Word, we are set free and healed and able to live the abundant life He wants for us.” (Page 10)
Early in the study, I was reminded of the incredible, horrendous, but loving sacrifice Jesus endured, so that I would not face God’s wrath, but find grace and true forgiveness for all my sins—past, present, and future! What an incredible gift!
Then, the purpose of this study opened up to me—putting away all bitterness and anger so that God could truly heal my heart, mind, and soul.
Regarding bitterness and anger and holding grudges, I have come to a realization that although God will have His vengeance where there is no repentance, I sincerely do not want my offenders to suffer His vengeance! I am willing to give up my rights in regard to hanging onto bitterness and anger out of true obedience to God, allowing God to speak to the hearts of those who hurt me past and present. There may still be a process involved, but I can let go of revenge while God heals my heart, soul, and mind.
“The world’s way of dealing with bitterness is twofold: keep it to yourself and it rots, or spread it around, causing harm to others. God’s solution is to locate the root of bitterness and permanently get rid of it. It is only by God’s grace, through knowing Jesus as your Savior and the renewing of your mind, that this can be accomplished.” (Page 108)
There is a cost to forgiveness. It cost Jesus everything! Forgiving may cost me my pride, my “rights” to receive justice, my “standing” in how the world would have me respond by keeping grudges, etc. But Jesus forgave me to set me free from “the world’s ways”—from Satan’s snare of bitterness and anger. Galatians 5:13 ESV [13] For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
“It is by God’s grace that we pass through the fiery trials of life and are transformed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is through those trials that we learn about grace and the sufficiency of it. It is grace that saved you, grace that keeps you, and grace that supplies and meets all your needs. It is not the wisdom of man that we should seek when we find ourselves in times of need; it is the wisdom of God that should abide in our hearts and rule our lives.” (Page 155)
God will give me all the grace I need, in abundance, to accomplish the good deeds He has set before me. Grace in desire, strength, and will to do His will. 2 Corinthians 9:8
When I surrender, not only to God’s grace, but to all His precepts for godly living written in His word, I can trust that He will heal all of my scars, giving me a new life to live in praise of His greatness, in praise of His everlasting love, and in praise of His divine justice. I give up my rights to all that holds me back from worshipping my Savior.
