Today we will be exploring the
answer to the following question: How can I be forgiven after having sinned so
much?
First of all, if you are asking yourself this
question, you are not lost beyond hope. It's those who aren't even wondering
about such things who are heading
for disaster.
The Good News proclaimed by Jesus throughout the New
Testament was not designed for those who think they are right with God, but to
sinners like you and me!
"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While
we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom 5:8 NIV)
This is the immensity of God's love: He loves us so
much that Jesus died for us while we were still sinners! To think that his
message of forgiveness is for those who think they are goody-two shoes is a
mistake! It's a message of hope for you and me, a message of love, telling us
clearly that God loves us!
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full
acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the
worst." (1 Tim 1:15 NIV)
Interestingly enough, once we get to know Jesus, we
look at our past with disgust and we consider ourselves as the worst sinner that
ever existed. In all truth, sin is sin, no matter how small or how big, and no
matter how frequently it was committed!
"For I have not come to call the righteous, but
sinners." (Matt 9:13 NIV)
Sadly, many walk around with their nose in the air,
thinking they are better than others. I have encountered many who boast that
they are far better than Hitler or Nero. And though from human perspective, this
may seem correct, it isn't correct in God's perspective: "But if anyone causes
one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to
have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of
the sea." (Matt 18:6 NIV)
Let's face it, we all have sinned and hurt "little
ones" and we all deserve "to have a large millstone hung around" our neck!
However "while we were sinners" Jesus died on a cross, so that we could be
reconciled with God. In other words, if we accept God's forgiveness for our
sins, no matter how small or big they are, we are forgiven!
Those who are not forgiven are those who think they
are better than the Mussolinis and the Stalins of this world!
"To some who were confident of their own righteousness
and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 'Two men went up to
the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee
stood up and prayed about himself: "God, I thank you that I am not like other
men - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast
twice a week and give a tenth of all I get." But the tax collector stood at a
distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said,
"God, have mercy on me, a sinner." I tell you that this man, rather than
the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts
himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.'" (Luke
18:9-14 NIV)
You know what happens in heaven when we accept God's
forgiveness by faith through Jesus the Christ? There is great rejoicing!
Rejoicing just for you! And what rejoicing! They have a celestial party!
"I tell you that in the same way there will be more
rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous
persons who do not need to repent." (Luke 15:7 NIV)
How can we know that we are forgiven?
"If anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the
Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning
sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole
world." (1 John 2:1-2 NIV)
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and
will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we
have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our
lives." (1 John 1:9-10 NIV)
We know we are forgiven by claiming such Bible texts
by faith! Unlike us humans, God always keeps His word!
Some of us may wonder if we may have committed the
unforgivable sin.
"And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be
forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone
who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks
against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age
to come." (Matt 12:31-32 NIV)
If we look at the context of this text, we quickly
realize that Jesus is not talking about the quantity of sins we may have
committed, but of an attitude where some who are "righteous" in their own eyes,
criticize God at work!
"When the Pharisees heard this, they said, 'It is only
by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.'" (Matt
12:24 NIV)
"But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then
the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Matt 12:28 NIV)
Those who have to worry about forgiveness are not
those who have sinned, but those who think they are better than others, and
consequently criticize others, and sometimes, even God! We will either gather
with Jesus or scatter like the evil one.
"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does
not gather with me scatters." (Matt 12:30 NIV)
It had been snowing quite a bit and the parking lot
near my work was covered with a thick layer of the cold, white stuff. For some
reason, many other car owners had decided to park in the very same parking lot I
had chosen, and when it was time for me to go home, I didn't notice the vehicle
parked directly behind me. It was in my blind spot, and it certainly didn't help
that I felt exhausted!
The inevitable happened. As I backed out of my spot, I
heard a loud, metallic bang. I had hit the car behind me. Oh no!!!
I quickly advanced my car and set my brake. Jumping
out, I ran to the vehicle behind me to determine how much damage I had done.
Only to find … there
was none! How was this possible?
The guy behind the wheel of the other car had jumped
out of his car at the same time, and I expected some unsavoring moments.
Instead, before he even knew if his car was damaged or not, I heard a cheerful
greeting: "Mr. Chaffart! I am so glad to see you. I want to thank you for …" and
he went on to thank me for helping out one of the members of his family.
I couldn't believe my ears! With my mouth hanging wide
open, I looked him in the eye and realized that I had just been forgiven. I left
the parking lot astonished beyond bounds.
We may feel we don't deserve forgiveness, but God who
is far greater than any of us, He, too, jumps off his throne and greets us
cheerfully: "I am so glad that you have accepted my forgiveness. Welcome to my
Kingdom!"
We have indeed been forgiven! Yippee! Thank you Lord!
P. S. And thank you to the one who forgave me on the
spot for banging his vehicle. You showed me what grace really means.
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.