The Cell Door

On a Friday, a man was brought to court because of breach of bail conditions. The lady judge, knowing that this was the first violation of the man, asked him which door he wanted to go through, the one leading to the main street or the other towards the cell. The man pointed to the door to the main street, and the judge granted him bail on the condition that he not infringe again. The man left hurriedly. On Monday, the judge was told that the same man was back in court, having been caught for burglary two hours after his release. The judge asked him which door he would proceed to, and meekly the man pointed to the one leading to the cell.

While the judge was compassionate, the man showed no appreciation of her kindness. Empathy is a virtue, yet if the other ignores this, it becomes useless. Our God is a forgiving God. Because of His infinite love for us, He washes away our sins. He does so, if we observe the following conditions: Sacrifice; Forgiveness of others; Confession of sin; and Repentance.

Even without sin, Jesus died on the cross to show us that the prerequisite to forgiveness is suffering. "Without the shedding of Blood, there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22). We need to release the grudge we hold on others. "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)

Admission of our wrongness, of our transgressions may be difficult, but it is one of the significant ingredients that cleanses us of the dirt that stains our spirit. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) Most importantly, we must turn a new leaf in our lives, disdaining sin and keeping God close to our heart. "Therefore this is what the Lord says, 'If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me.” (Jeremiah 15:19a)

Should we fulfill the conditions to forgiveness, then we will have chosen to take the door that leads us to God. Our sins will be totally erased by the blood of Christ. We will be blotfree and worthy of God. "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." (Isaiah 43:25)