Tue, Sep 15, 2009

I can't ask you to give what you already gave.

Last night at Man Group we took a closer look at some events in the life of David. Edwin led the discussion and we checked out a few stories about David - notably David & Goliath, David escaping Saul and David & Bathsheba.

A couple discussions provoked some interesting thoughts and questions for me, and I thought I'd share them.

Do we need to ask God for forgiveness if he has already granted it to us?

It's an interesting question, let me clarify a few things.

I'm not saying that there is no action required on our behalf. God has given, but we still need to receive.

Think about it - when someone gives me a gift, a neatly wrapped present persay, I take it out of their hands and say "thankyou". I then go ahead and open it and when I see what's inside I realise that the giver has put a lot of thought into the gift and so I say "thankyou" again and then compliment the gift and the giver, saying why I like it and or why it's a good gift.

If the gift giver had their arms outstreched offering me the present, would it not be strange or even rude for me to ask them "Can you please give me this gift?" Isn't it almost an insult to them? They have already given it to me, I just need to accept it, to receive it. Isn't the best response "Thankyou"?

I honestly think the best thing to say when we sin to God is "Thankyou for the cross" with a heart of repentance. In that statement of thanks we are fully recognising the amazing and never-ending grace of God.

Relient K say it well in their song "Be My Escape"

And all I'm asking is for you to do what you can with me
But I can't ask you to give what you already gave

Anyway, that's my thoughts... but maybe I'm looking at it from the wrong angle? Maybe the process of asking for forgiveness is more for our benefit than God's? And what about the Lord's prayer - this clearly tells us to ask "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us"? Is this valid, or can it now be interpreted slightly differently because Jesus has died & risen?