Forgiveness?

Forgiveness, can we really do it? Jesus chose twelve men to follow him and become teachers, fishers of men. Those twelve men were not holy men of the day. Jesus knew the holy men and law makers; the Pharisees and Sadducees had strayed from the true meaning of the Word and made deals with Rome to be able to continue in their way of life. The twelve men Jesus chose were in fact fishermen, tax collectors, Zealots, even one, later who was carrying a list of Christians to be rounded up by the authorities because he believed Christianity was wrong. Two of them were known as the Sons of Thunder, not because of their sweet disposition. They doubted, they questioned, they denied. Through out the entire ordeal one thing remained a constant, their love for Jesus and the ability to return to His love with forgiveness. In this, Peter was able to deny knowing Christ three times, and after remembering the words of Jesus earlier, broke down and wept. He wept tears of sorrow. Peter was forgiven his sin, the sin of denying the Son of God while Jesus was being crucified for our sin, because of his repentance. God allows for us to make mistakes, He knows we aren't perfect. He sent His son to die for us so we would be able to live a life with Him. All we have to do is ask for forgiveness from him. Jesus' death allows for us to be given a second, third, fourth chances and so on. John 15:13 says, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I know people in my life that have truly asked for forgiveness, I believe in my heart they have been forgiven by our Lord. Even if the world is unable, or unwilling to forgive them, they are forgiven by the One who can offer this to them. Just like Peter, they wept tears of sorrow for their sins. I count myself in that group, I have asked for forgiveness and continue to ask as I am not perfect. Then again none of us are perfect. There was only one… In Christ, Rick