This morning my Bible reading took me to two distinct places in Scripture; both of them dealt with forgiveness.
Not our forgiveness to others, however, the Bible is filled with teachings on forgiving but these two dealt with the forgiveness that we have received from God, our Father.
Forgiven!
I don’t have to ask you to remember because I’m sure, like me, you remember the most awful thing you have ever done. But it’s forgiven…Jesus died to pay the price for our sin and the Father has forgiven us!
He’s even forgotten our sins – He chose too. He wants us to forget too so that we can become the powerful person He has designed us to be.
“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!
2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude
5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude
6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. 7 For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude
8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” 10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. 11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!” Psalm 32 NLT
Forgiven – we should tattoo that on our hearts!
This Psalm, which was written by King David, should be one we read often. The devil will work to remind us of our sin. He wants us to feel unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness; if we buy into that thinking we stay focused on ourselves and not on God and we become useless when it comes to telling others about the Father’s wonderful forgiveness and amazing grace.
“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” I John 2:1-2 NLT
Jesus IS the sacrifice that atones for ALL sin! He is the only one who could be the perfect offering for our salvation. In Him, we are not only forgiven but we are made completely new. Our past, present and future transgressions are blotted out and we are restored to relationship with the Father.
If you are struggling with your past re-read Psalm 32 and then shout for joy because your heart has been made pure by God’s forgiveness!
Now share the message of forgiveness with those around you, I just did.