Forgiveness

Scripture:  Happy is the person whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. Happy is the person whom the Lord does not consider guilty and in whom there is nothing false ~ Psalm 1:1-2

Thought: Have you ever done something that you weren’t proud of? Something that you knew was wrong and that you’ve kept secret all this time? Or maybe everyone knows what you did or who you were and you just feel like that one wrong decision, that one bad action has held you back from living in freedom. Maybe your sin is not that you’ve done anything so terribly wrong, but you’ve sinned by omission; not taking action when you should have, not caring enough to give a helping hand, or even maybe not living according to God’s word the way you know you should have. Maybe you’ve played that courtroom scene in your mind as you are held on trial for your deeds. You hear the accusations, you hear the charges and you hear the slam of the Judges gavel as he says, “Guilty as charged!”

Well, I have great news for you! You no longer have to live under the guilt of your sin! Why? Because there is no sin that cannot be cleansed by the power of the blood of Christ Jesus! You can have the burden of sin removed in your life and the ability to live in freedom simply by accepting the gift of forgiveness! Yes, the “gift!” It is free to all who accept it.  Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” 

Jesus Christ, Son of God, carried your sin and its burden to the cross! He redeemed you! Yes, He had you in mind while on that cross and yes, He purchased you with his blood. Who else would do that for you? Oh, He loved you so much that he took your place so that you would have forgiveness and freedom in Him. 

Psalm 86:4-5 says, “Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”  All you need to do is call unto Him! You might ask, “How can I call unto Him if He was crucified to a cross?” Ah, but this story gets better! You see he rose again on the third day and is at this very moment in heaven; at the right hand of the Father interceding for you. Yes, He is representing you in Heaven before the Father and He’s the best lawyer there is!

Once forgiven, there is no reason to hang on to guilt! Once forgiven, those sins will not be counted against you. So be happy that your sins have been erased and pray to the Holy Spirit to give you strength to live in righteousness. Confess your sin and make Jesus your Lord. Accept this gift of salvation and Jesus will say, “Be happy, for your sins are forgiven and your wrongs have been pardoned! You have been found, NOT GUILTY!”