Remission

Remission = Absolution, forgiveness, pardon

To remit is to cancel or free someone from a punishment or debt; to give relief, to release from guilt, to restore to a former status

I personally don't think of ”the remission of sins” in terms of cancelling a punishment or debt. My own parenting taught me that punishment is not an effective means of changing behavior. Wrong choices always have their own natural consequences. Adding punishment on top of that teaches nothing positive.

But to give relief and release from guilt and by so doing to restore to a former status of well-being, now that is a gift we all desire at some time in our lives.

So take the simple case of a little girl who cheated on a test at school. She just glanced at a neighboring student and saw an answer. No premeditation but she then wrote it on her paper.

That evening it was evident there was something wrong; she was isolating herself from the family. She just was not herself. It was a battle raging inside. When her mom asked what was wrong she poured it out, seeking relief, hoping the guilt would go away. But her mom could not give her that gift. She needed to talk to her teacher.

The next day a happier child returned home. I don’t remember what consequence the teacher gave but I know know that the courageous act of telling the truth and facing the consequences assuaged her guilt and a kind teacher helped a little girl learn a valuable lesson.

Life is like that. We err. We lose faith in ourselves. We live with consequences that cannot always be resolved. We carry guilt for years, depriving ourselves of happiness we are meant to enjoy.

Relationships suffer. We lose out on so much that was intended from the beginning to bless our lives. We don't know how to fix it.

I cannot imagine anything more wonderful than the privilege of being in the presence of a love so strong and faithful that there I could bare my soul and let it all pour out.

God does not seek to punish us. He seeks to bless us. We punish ourselves and the consequences of our actions punish us. Others punish us by cutting us off. Relationships are severed.

There is forgiveness and relief, released from guilt, restoration of the former self all available through Jesus Christ. He knows and understands. He has felt all the pain we mortals have ever created. He is our friend and our advocate and our mediator. I picture myself sitting with Him and pouring out my whole life story while He helps me process everything that took place.  I imagine Him bringing us together with others who have hurt us and who we also have hurt. He will help us heal those wounds and heal our relationships. His love will give us the strength to be healed.

No wonder I love artwork where various people are alone with the Savior.  I long for that day.

That is remission. Now restored to our original state – in a state of well-being – we no longer will hide from His presence. We are free to go home where we belong. Free but changed - having experienced good and evil as was intended. Ready to choose good having learned the terrible consequences of having chosen wrong time after time.

But we don't need to wait to have this experience. It is available right now. That is the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Come, ye disconsolate wherever ye languish

Come to the mercy seat; fervently kneel.

Here bring your wounded hearts; Hear tell your anguish.

Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.

Joy of the desolate, light of the straying.

Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure.

Here speaks the Comforter tenderly saying

Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure.

Hear see the bread of life; see waters flowing

Forth from the throne of God, pure from above.

Come to the feast of love. Come, ever knowing

Earth has no sorrow but heaven can remove.