I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remember your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25 NIV)
In Old Testament days when you 'blew it' you brought a lamb to the alter as a payment for your sins. The priest did not examine the man; he only examined the lamb.
If the lamb met with God's requirements you were then instantly forgiven.
That's how it still works today. When we fail, we need only approach God and say, "Father in the name of Jesus please forgive me". In that moment the fathers focus moves from you to Christ, and God forgives you.
God's forgiveness is the greatest Gift we can have in the world. It cost us nothing, but cost God everything.
God's plan of forgivness is Jesus and the Cross. He died on the Cross for all our sins.
When Jesus cried, "It is finished", God wrote 'Paid in Full' across every sin debt you will ever owe, we accept this by faith, no more will ever be required and no less will ever be accepted.
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. (Micah 7:18 NIV)
God delights to forgive, His forgiveness is complete. He gives it freely and it fully restores our relationship with Him.
God's great mercy and forgiveness can cover any sin no matter how bad.
I came to learn this lesson many years ago with my involvement within a prison ministry.
We came to take a service in the chapel of a maximum-security prison. This is where they keep the most dangerous of prisoners, like Murderers and rapists.
I can remember standing in front of them thinking, "Surely God won't forgive these men, their sins are so terrible they are beyond forgiveness. But God opened my heart, and began to show me, just how much He loves each one of them. They are not beyond God's forgiveness.
Father, we thank you for your great mercy. How awesome You are, that You can forgive all sin. Help us to always remember that when we let you down and get things wrong. You are there, ready to embrace us with your love.
It doesn't matter what we have done. All you want is for us to come into your loving arms and say sorry Lord, please forgive me. You then forgive us and remember that sin no more. Thank you father. Amen
Closing thought.
Today, if you are afraid to approach the throne room of God. Don't be. He is there just waiting for you to come to him. He wants to embrace you with His loving arms.
All forgiven, all restored. The pathway to forgiveness is open.
