“God cannot forgive me.” This is the message I realized I had internalized by my freshman year of college. I was letting shame over past perpetual sexual sin hang over me. It was draped over my shoulders, weighing on my every step. I had given my life to Christ just two years prior—I asked for his forgiveness and help to turn from my sin. And one night as I walked around my old dorm, praying that God could somehow forgive all the sin I had ever committed and was yet to commit, it began to rain. A misty, soft rain. And with that gentle rain, the Lord reminded me that he had already washed me of my sin when I gave my life to him. The sweetness of that rain was how tenderly God revealed a hard truth to me. This truth came over me like the gentle rain falling: in believing God couldn’t forgive me and that I needed to keep working for his forgiveness, I was in fact being prideful. How could I believe the God of the cosmos wasn’t big enough to forgive my sin? I was effectively believing that Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t enough to cover my sin and shame. Am I really that self-important? Yes, I realized.

I wore my shame religiously, instead of the garments of forgiveness that Jesus offers. These garments of forgiveness are the very clothes Isaiah speaks of in Isaiah 61:10: “I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.”

Jesus took our dirty rags—a reflection of our helpless estate and shabby attempt to cover our sin and shame. In return he offers us a robe of righteousness and salvation. He performs this great exchange on the cross. Jesus pictures this extraordinary mercy through his parable of the prodigal son, who squandered his portion of his father’s wealth. However, upon his humble return, he was given “the best robe,” a family ring, and shoes for his dirty, bare feet. The father dressed his son in his very own best clothing.

Our great God showed little me this beautiful truth and taught me to wear it so others can see his beauty more clearly too. These robes are offered to all who believe Jesus is their only Savior from a life of sin, destined for destruction. My prayer for you is that you can believe in this truth too: Jesus died to take away your sin. Friend, take up the clothing of salvation that the Father has prepared for you! Those dirty rags never fit you right anyway.

Allie Black

For the Women at Grace Newsletter Team

In Luke 15, Jesus shares three parables with Pharisees who are frustrated over him associating with “notorious sinners.” The final parable is arguably the most well known by followers today: The Parable of the Prodigal Son. While the title given in most Bible translations focuses on the son, the parable notably highlights the response of the father and his forgiveness. Take time to read through the parable again in Luke 15:11–32 and note the details of the father’s response throughout the text.

Courtney Vaughn

For the Women at Grace Newsletter Team

God’s forgiveness is so counterintuitive to our fallen nature, it can be difficult to wrap our heads around it. Let’s take some time to reflect on the truth that God freely offers forgiveness! Use these questions for personal reflection or discussion in your community.

• After reading the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which brother do you identify with more? In what ways do both sons wrestle with the concept of forgiveness?
• What details stand out to you most about the father? Is it hard for you to believe that God is likewise generous, compassionate, and forgiving? Why or why not?
• Is there any sin, past or present, that you struggle to believe the Father can forgive? Who is a trusted, godly person in your life you can share this struggle with?

Sarah Bailey

For the Women at Grace Newsletter Team