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Life Over Coffee Devotions
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32).
Christians enjoy and benefit from the gospel because of forgiveness (see Romans 10:9, 13). For example, we confessed our sins and requested forgiveness, and our kind Lord forgave us. Confession, forgiveness, and reconciliation are the stepping stones to happiness (Deuteronomy 33:29). If you want a happy home, you must imitate God at this crucial point (Ephesians 5:1).
During the first five years of our marriage, I never asked Lucia to forgive me for any sins I committed against her. That is a staggering thing to say. Let me state the obvious here: my view of God, humanity, and sin was sub-biblical. My gospel understanding and practices suffered because of my weak theological perspectives (Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:2-3). One of the most transformative relationship-building questions you will ever ask another person is, “Will you forgive me?” Forgiveness is how your relationship with God began, and the process is similar for His image-bearers (Genesis 1:27; Ephesians 5:1).
A Christian who does not regularly ask for forgiveness is like the son of a millionaire who has no awareness of his daddy’s fortune. Or even worse, he is aware of his father’s wealth but refuses to benefit from it (1 Peter 1:4). Forgiveness is a free and unlimited gift from the Lord. Still, it requires humility to access it, whether you are asking for it from someone or granting it to someone. The person who is not regularly asking for forgiveness is either self-deceived, is a pretender, or is living in denial of the doctrine of sin. A forgiven person—who is authentically residing in the grace of God’s forgiveness—is willing to ask for and grant forgiveness. Reflect on these seven steps to see where you are in building a happy home.
After Lucia and I began to see the gospel with more practical clarity, we started to live in a sanctification sweet spot that radically changed our home. We replaced the guilt, burden, shame, unresolved conflict, and the proverbial pink elephants flying around the room with the love, joy, peace, hope, and mercy that Christ offers through practicing forgiveness.
Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).