Forgiven

Ladies, today I enCOURAGE you to rejoice with me in the fact that we are forgiven.  If you have accepted the gift of sacrifice from Jesus Christ your sins have all been paid for long ago.  You don’t need a man dressed in black with a white collar or robes or blue jeans to tell you this.  The one and only man who walked this earth who could redeem you and pay your penalty did so long ago, job done.  Period.

Forgiveness of sins happened at only one point on our human timeline of history and that was on the cross of Jesus Christ years ago.  His blood poured out as he consumed the full wrath of his Father (the wrath we deserve), he then gave up his spirit as he declared, “It is finished!” John 19:30.  This is the moment when sin died, mission accomplished.  Jesus paid for your sins and mine at that exact moment.  It is imperative that you understand this if you are a Christian.

Never minimize the sacrifice of our God dying in our place.  If you think you can say enough repetitive prayers or do enough good works to earn forgiveness you are gravely mistaken and in attempting to do so, you are spitting in the face of Jesus.  How dare you?  If his act was lacking than we would have to crucify the Son of God over and over again to accomplish forgiveness multiple times.  What a worthless and insufficient god that would be.  That is not my God.  That is not the God of the Bible.

Women, do not fall prey to a deceived way of thinking.  If you have accepted Jesus, have turned from your life of sin, and now live for him, you are forgiven.  Your sins have been washed away by the all sufficient blood of Jesus Christ.  This is what causes us Christians to love our Savior so much and propels us to worship him with unreserved gratitude. 

Is repentance needed?  Oh, yes for sure.  When your eyes are opened to your ugly sins and see that they are what keep you from a loving God, you will fall on your knees with a contrite heart seeking mercy and forgiveness.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

After salvation will we still sin?  Yes, to our shame knowing what it cost our Redeemer.  It is a true daily battle, but the payment of Jesus still stands good.  Once accepted in earnest, all sins have been forgiven.

Ladies, when Jesus died, the veil in the temple that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (where only the high priest was allowed to go once per year to atone for the sins of the people) was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).  No more earthly intercessor needed, full access granted to the mercy of God because of what Jesus did. 

“And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.” Hebrews 10:11-14.

If you have not yet done so, seek this mercy today and turn to God.  If you have received this mercy, you are familiar with the awesomeness of this forgiveness that I speak of.  Praise him for it!  Your freedom has been granted, walk in the victory that Christ has provided, knowing your debt has been paid in full!