Every Friday I join a community of bloggers for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt, five minutes. Unedited. The prompt this week is … Permission.
As soon as I read the word prompt, a familiar saying came to mind: “It’s better to ask forgiveness than permission.”
I had no idea who coined it originally when I first heard it. I do know that it did not sit well with me. The saying has been thrown around almost as an excuse to move forward in doing something, even when you know you shouldn’t, or that it is wrong. So you go ahead, enjoy the moment, and then ask forgiveness.
Permission means being given the authority or the OK to to do something.
Jesus words come to mind:
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38, NASB)
Jesus remained under the authority of His Father, seeking to fulfill the purposes for which He was sent.
We need to ask forgiveness as we err every day, but we should not take that as license to do whatever we want. It is wise to seek God’s will, and permission, in our decisions; for then we will not live with regret afterward.
“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:6, NLT)
Today I am joining …
I have been working on a post about confession, and finding it so enlightening. Like so much of the Christian Life, it’s about relationship. We never want to play fast and loose with our ties to the living God!
I now am looking forward to reading that post!
yes, seeking His permission and His grace when I fail is my aim, love this reminder.
Amen Joanne. So beautifully spoken. Blessings my friend. xo
Visiting from FMF#12
I heard that quote for the first time about six months ago. It didn’t set well with me either!
Amen, Joanne!! Deirdre FMF#1
Amen and amen! Nicely done. FMF#23
You are so right, Joanne. As David said, keep me from presumptuous sins. But that is our sinful tendency, isn’t it, to go ahead and do what we want and deal with the consequences later. Thanks for a great reminder to always seek His will.
Donna, that verse kept coming to mind while I was writing so I am grateful you mentioned it here.
Ask forgiveness, not permission
when it’s wrong you seek to do;
it is solely your decision,
but you’d better think it through,
for it’s a dim deceitful road,
if this is the path you choose,
and it can be a heavy load
to realize the trust you lose.
We think the highest good is fun,
but that is just the devil’s speech,
and when all your sands have run
and your good name is out of reach,
there’s no crying to the choir
for a self-appointed liar.
This may be my favorite comment of yours yet! But then I think this every week.
I’ve never liked that expression, either. It seemed presumptuous.