Forgiven Means Forgiven

Forgiven Means Forgiven

Do you believe in the forgiveness of sins? Do you have hard time believing that you are truly forgiven? We proclaim -often without thinking- in the Apostolic Creed “I believe in the forgiveness of sins”. But do we really, really believe? Do we live in the joy of forgiveness? Because being free is what Christian living is all about. If we are still carrying the burdens ourselves, we are not truly trusting God’s grace to do its job.

We have been ransomed through his Son’s blood, and we have forgiveness for our failures based on his overflowing grace, which he poured over us with wisdom and understanding. (Eph. 1: 7-8, CEB)
The enemy tries his best to assure us that God will not forgive us, that somehow our sins are stronger than the blood of Christ. But, please, don’t buy these lies. When it’s sin against grace, grace wins hands down. Jesus’ blood never fails.

But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end. (Romans 5: 20-21, MSG)

Once you have confessed your sins (and asked and received forgiveness), let them go. Forget them as God forgets them. Forgiven means forgiven. Like Thomas Adams has stated “Sins are so remitted, as if they had never been committed.” Don’t drag around even a vague sense of guilt, dump all your transgressions at the feet of the cross and leave them there. Move on to live in the SONshine of God’s forgiveness!

If we claim, “We don’t have any sin,” we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong. (1 John 1: 8-9, CEB)

If you still have trouble to forgive yourself, bring that matter to God. Tell him that you need healing and God will enable you to forgive yourself, too. Likewise, if you are not able to forgive someone else, ask God for help. He will enable you to forgive.

We can only live in the fullness of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise it is impossible. But God delights in helping us. He is ready to pour out grace and more grace when we ask. Approach our Heavenly Father confidently. He loves you. There’s nothing he would not do for you.

Believe boldly in the forgiveness of sins.
And appropriate it vigorously.
Ask for help if necessary.
Because it’s real.
The body of Christ, broken for you.
It’s powerful.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.

 

Gracious God,
We come to you to confess all of our sins,
known and unknown.
Forgive us for Christ’s sake.
Enable us to forgive others and ourselves, too.
Show us how to be really free
and truly live in the joy of forgiveness.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you believe in the forgiveness of sins? Is it easy for you?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you appropriate the forgiveness of sins to you and others according to God’s plan for you!

Image courtesy of Landon Verkerk. Linking up today with Thought-Provoking Thursdays &

 

 

14 thoughts on “Forgiven Means Forgiven

  1. Yes!! Powerful and encouraging words! I grabbed a deeper understand of the relationship between sin and sacrifice in the OT and the amazing GRACE that appeared with Christ’s death for us in the NT when I did the Bible in 90 Days. We don’t need to hang on to sin and grief and sadness……so why do we?

  2. “Jesus blood never fails.” Thanks for this reminder, Mari-Anna. I usually accept His forgiveness quicker than I can accept my own, which is crazy. He’s the One who counts! So thankful for His grace!

  3. “Jesus blood never fails.” Thanks for this reminder, Mari-Anna. I usually accept His forgiveness quicker than I can accept my own, which is crazy. He’s the One who counts! So thankful for His grace!

  4. Ouch, yes: “If we are still carrying the burdens ourselves, we are not truly trusting God’s grace to do its job.”

    And what a beautiful and needed reminder: “But God delights in helping us. He is ready to pour out grace and more grace when we ask. Approach our Heavenly Father confidently. He loves you. There’s nothing he would not do for you.”

  5. I can always use this life-giving reminder. I tend to focus on my sin — mistakes, failures, downfalls. But when I give it to Him fresh mercy in huge supply. 

    Thank You Mari-Anna. Wonderful to read your words.

  6. This is gorgeous- full of the grace of God! Thanks my sister for reminding us that God is willing to do anything for us, starting with the forgiveness of sins, which He did by the cross of Christ.

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