I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus is the answer in every area of my life. He is not strong in some situations and weak in others. He is not a pill that arrests some diseases but is inadequate in others. He absolutely conquers all. Whatever the need in my life, Jesus Himself is the solution. There is no need to look in any other direction. My eyes are upon Him. I am amazed at the Greek word “aphiemi.” The prefix is “apo” (from) and the root word is “hiemi’ (to send forth; repel). This Greek word is used sixteen times in Matthew’s Gospel account for the act of forgiveness. Forgiveness is much more than simply forgetting the wrong deed. It is to actually remit, remove, or release someone from the actual sin. It is not to disregard the sins or do nothing about them; it is to liberate a person from their sins, from the guilt of sin, and the power of sin. Jesus has forgiven (aphiemi) our sins. He has removed the sin from us; we are no longer guilty of or under its power.
In a personal encounter with Jesus I received His forgiveness. But it was not an event; it was a relationship. Forgiveness is experienced within the warmth of this relationship. It is His personal presence which continually releases me from guilt. The moment He is not present, guilt overtakes me again. Jesus has pushed back the guilt and power of sin; He repels it. It has no hold on me because of His inward presence. I am living moment by moment in the releasing, removing, and repelling life of the Spirit of Jesus. He is holding at bay the forces of guilt and the entrapment of all my sin. In Him I am experiencing “aphiemi.” How can I ever take that for granted or treat it lightly? I must shout His praises. I am a Jesus pusher!!!