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“I Ask For Your Forgiveness”

This Heartfelt Request Comes From Bishop Edir Macedo. We Invite You to Read This Open Letter

Asking for Your Forgiveness

 

 

ASKING FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray; they have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place. Jeremiah 50:6 As I meditated on this verse, the Holy Spirit touched my heart deeply about the mistakes that pastors and churches have committed. We were called to bring the Word of God to the lost, to heal the sick, to give hope to those who were hopeless in this life. But many times, while trying to do the right thing, pastors and churches have done what was wrong, leading others to do wrong as well. I recognize that I, myself, have been guilty of this. Poorly worded conversations, rude or pushy manners of speech, decisions that have caused you pain or loss… These are just a few ways that can cause people to turn away from God’s path, even if it wasn’t our intention. I know that good intentions aren’t enough. And that’s why I’m here, asking for your forgiveness. That’s right. Whether I, or any other pastor or church has disappointed you, caused you to have grudges, a coldness towards God, or for you to backslide in your faith, I ask for your forgiveness. I never, ever want to be a stumbling block to anyone. My greatest desire for over 60 years, has been to lead people to know the Lord Jesus. I have always taught that we should look only to Him, so that we’ll never be deceived by others and lose our salvation. Maybe some of you have wandered away from God because you were disappointed in pastors or the church. Maybe you’ve been searching for rest in all the wrong places. People have let you down, but it doesn’t mean that God has let you down, or that it’s too late to turn back to Him. People are imperfect, but God will never fail you. Return to Him today. The verse above speaks of how the wrongdoings of the shepherds caused many to go so far astray that they forgot where their “resting place” is. This place is the House of God. If even one of you returns to the House of God after reading this letter, it will make me incredibly happy, but not as happy as heaven will be: In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:7 God bless you all abundantly, Bishop Edir Macedo The Universal Church