jesus and judas
"Immediately after, Satan entered his heart...No sooner had Judas eaten the morsel than he went out. It was night." —John 13:27, 30
Many people are imprisoned in a tomb of unforgiveness. A heavy stone stands between them and the risen Christ. Some refuse to forgive others, especially family members. Many maintain God has forgiven them but they can't forgive themselves. This is a self-deception.
The Bible speaks not of those who refused to forgive themselves but of those who refused to believe in God's forgiveness. Judas is a prime example. He despaired of being forgiven, so he hung himself (Mt 27:5). Like Judas, some feel they have committed the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Mt 12:31). However, the only unforgivable sin is denying the Spirit's revelation that we can always be forgiven.
Many go to Confession but still feel guilty. They may say they believe God has forgiven them, but they actually don't believe. We are saved in every circumstance by faith. We are saved by faith from unforgiveness and from the despair of Judas. By faith, roll away the stone of unforgiveness.
Prayer: Father, Abba, we have no right not to believe that You have forgiven us. Give us faith as we hear Your word (see Rm 10:17).
Promise: "Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God." —Is 49:4
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who forgave even as He hung upon the cross (Lk 23:34).
Reference: (For related teachings, order our booklet, The Book on Forgiveness and our leaflets, Unforgiveness is the Cause and Fourteen Questions on Forgiveness, or our audio tapes on the leaflets: AV 41-1 on Unforgiveness or AV 106A-1, AV 106A-3, AV 106B-1 on Forgiveness.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 27, 2005
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