The Anniversary Of Your Wretchedness

Happy Anniversary!! This is a common statement said millions of times during the year to dating and married couples all over the globe. It is a wonderful thing to remember and celebrate years and sometimes decades of faithful (though difficult) unity. Yet, I am convinced there are other types of anniversaries being remembered. These other types of anniversaries are not worth remembering and must not be celebrated. They come in all forms. For some, it is the anniversary of their spouse’s infidelity. For others it is the day their spouse gambled away their nest egg at the local casino. All kinds of sins are faithfully remembered year after year by untold numbers of people convinced they are completely justified in their recollection of someone else’s wretchedness. But such anniversaries are dangerous endeavors indeed. In every way, they are like slow poison for relationships and must be seen as hard-hearted attempts to remember that which must be forgiven and laid to rest.

Of course, forgiving sin and laying that sin to rest are easier said than done. Good thing then that this is not a work we do in our strength. In fact, we couldn’t even do so if we wanted to. This is true for two reasons. First, we are not in a position to do so. You see, we are just as wretched as the individuals whose wretchedness we quickly call to account. Think about it for a moment. Who have you greatly sinned against? Maybe you are having trouble thinking of someone who you have hurt as much as your spouse has hurt you. So let me ask you a bit harder question. What about the sin you have committed against your Creator? Remember it was YOUR SIN and not just your spouse’s sin that brought suffering, pain, and death to God’s only Son. Unlike us, Jesus neither sinned nor warranted being sinned against. NO ONE has been more wronged by people than Jesus Christ. For this reason and many more only Jesus is in a position to continually bring up anybody’s sin. Second, we lack the ability to forgive and lay to rest someone’s sin against us or our sin against someone else. But the same One in position to continually bring up someone’s sin is also the same One with the ability to forgive and lay to rest all sin.

Is it time for you to let go of some anniversary? If so, just remember how much sweeter mercy is than condemnation. Aren’t you thankful that because of the cross of Christ your sin is forgiven and will be remembered no more. May God grant us the strength to be mercifully forgiving like His Son.