Forgiveness

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit; I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Psalm 32:1-2;5



Beloved,



God is so merciful to mankind for He is willing to forgive our sins. Think about that. The God of Universe, he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, who alone has immortality, who dwells in approachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, is willing to forgive ALL your sins in Jesus Christ. God is not required to forgive our sins. The wages of our sin is death. We deserve to be punished for our sins, but God is willing to forgive our sins through the death of His Son, Jesus. Undeserved Mercy!! We deserve death, but get life. ASTOUNDING!!!

But although God is willing to forgive, He does not forgive everyone’s sin. He only forgives those who acknowledge their sin and confess their transgressions to the Lord. The Lord only forgives the repentant of their sin. Those who cover up their sins and refuse to turn to God in Christ, will not be forgiven. So what is godly repentance? Author Jonathan Leeman writes:



Repenting people, typically, are zealous about casting off their sin. That’s what God’s Spirit does inside of them. When this happens, one can expect to see a willingness to accept outside counsel. A willingness to inconvenience their schedules. A willingness to confess embarrassing things. A willingness to make financial sacrifices or lose friends or end relationships.



Are you zealous about casting off your sin? Do we agree with God about sin and turn to him for forgiveness? Or do we cover up our iniquity refusing to admit our sin? 1 John 1:8-9, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”



Beloved, God is willing to forgive your sin, but you must turn to him in confession for that forgiveness to become a reality. God is willing and able, will you turn to him in godly repentance?

In Christ,



Pastor Dave