Do you need forgiveness? Are you hopelessly carrying the baggage of sin that is so heavy you don’t know which way to go? If you are, you are not alone! We all need forgiveness because as Paul writes in Romans 3:23For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.[1] The Good news of Jesus is that we can be forgiven. There is hope!
The first words of Jesus from the cross were not about concern for Himself, but for others. Luke 23:24Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. [2]
Forgiveness is the very reason Jesus went to the cross.
As believers, we receive God’s forgiveness when we repent of our sin and place our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. When that happens all of our sins are forgiven forever. That includes past, present and future, big or small. Jesus died to pay the penalty for all of our sins, and once they are forgiven, they are all forgiven. When we are forgiven, we go from a hopeless state to one of great hope!
Colossians 1:14For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. [3]However, when we stumble and we all do, we are called to confess our sins as we read in 1 John 1:9But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. [4] Yes, Christians do sin, 1 John 1:8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.[5]
As Jesus hung on the cross, He knew your greatest need was to be forgiven. Forgiveness is necessary so we can be called to faith and have eternal life in heaven. Paul would explain this in his preaching. Acts 13: 38“Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39 Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do.[6]
Forgiveness gives hope to ever sinner who turns to Jesus and repents.
To hear more about Hope in the Last Hour, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hope-in-the-last-hour
[1-6] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.