What does our Lord tell us about the forgiveness of sins? There is more to be said about this than just the apparent. There are so many scriptures on what is required for the forgiveness of sins. Every Christian is familiar with 1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And Romans 10:13: “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved”. But what about those who call upon His name as just a “safeguard”? Those who call upon His name to forgive them their sins and then just continue on with their sinful lives? And yes, this includes many who proclaim His name. Those who declare themselves to be Christians; Believers; Followers of the Lord. The Lord God knows the depths of our hearts and cannot be fooled. Jeremiah 17:10 states “I the Lord search the heart and the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” The Lord knows what the true motivation for seeking His forgiveness is. So what else can be involved in His unconditional forgiveness? The answer is “REPENTANCE”. Seeking forgives and repentance of our sins go hand in hand! One cannot go without the other because it indicates the true motives of our hearts. Acts 3:19 tells us this: “Now REPENT of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.” (NLT).
There are two actions required on our part for the forgiveness of our sins. First, acknowledging that we have sinned and going before the Lord asking for His forgiveness. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” We cannot even seek His forgiveness if we cannot recognize sin in our lives. And the recognizing (conviction) that we have sinned only comes from on place…the Holy Spirit that dwells within each believer. John 16:8 “When He comes, He will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” We have the choice to listen to the Holy Spirit or not. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins and drives us to repentance. Those who do not repent will be convicted by God at the Great White Throne judgment. (Revelations 20:12-15)
Secondly, once we recognize sin in our lives, the other action on our part is to “repent” of those sins. What is repentance” The Greek translation is ‘Metanoeo’ (met-an-o-eh-o). to repent. I repent, change my mind, change the inner man (particularly with reference to the acceptance of the will of God), repent. (Strong’s Concordance 3340. metanoeo). Forgiveness then not only includes seeking His forgiveness, but turning our lives away from it. This is where the Lord sees our hearts…our desires. When we fall into sin we should find deep sorrow and remorse for our conscious actions of turning from the commandments of God. A deep regret with the (Holy Spirit conviction’s) of turning from them and pursuing them no longer. This does not mean that we will no longer have sin in our lives, because the Lord tells us we will because of our sinful nature. Jeremiah 17:9 “The human heart is deceitful above all thins, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (NTL). But what the Lord is most concerned with is the state of our hearts when we sin. Proverbs 21:2 “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” The human heart cannot lie before God. It defines who we are and what we believe by the actions we take, or do not take, in accordance with His Word and Will! The deepest part of our hearts is what will drive our actions, thoughts, and words. Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Now the Good news! When we align ourselves with His Truths, His Will in seeking the forgiveness of sins, we KNOW that we are forgiven. Forgiven of past. present, and future sins and failures. He alone is faithful. Faithful and true to all He has said. Lamintations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your FAITHFULLNESS.”
And once we have received His forgiveness, He gives us this great promise: Psalm 103:12 “As far as east is from west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” FOREVER!
Thank you Jesus for saving us.
As always, your comments are always welcomed and appreciated.
Psalm 34:3 "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (KJV)
