Today’s Reading:
Psalm 99 (8)
“You answered them, O Lord our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds.” (v. 8)
The GOD-WHO-FORGIVES, is another name for God. Often people feel like God is a ferocious and cruel god, who longingly waits to instantly punish any man caught in sin. However, the Bible paints a different picture of God. God does not want anybody to be lost. In fact, He is patient with us so that we might not be lost. Being long-suffering, God mercifully provides frequent opportunities to repent. Although it is clear that God wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4), we still may wonder why God does not.
God's Forgiveness - He Paid the Price Himself God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. The price for God's forgiveness is high, but He paid the price Himself. By Christ's loving act of grace, believers are eternally freed from the penalty and guilt of sin. Once we're covered by the Blood of Christ, God doesn't keep a record of our sins. Our forgiveness is total and complete.
The Bible gives us the costly requirement for God's forgiveness: "Without the shedding of Blood, there is no forgiveness" (Hebrews 9:22). In the Old Testament, the continual sacrifices of unblemished lambs were required to satisfy God's wrath and judgement. However, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a Roman cross and became the ultimate, once-and-for-all sacrifice for our sins. Jesus purchased God's forgiveness on our behalf when he became the Lamb of God and died on the cross for you and me.
"For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18). "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace" (Ephesians 1:7).
A believer receives God's forgiveness when he repents of sin and places his faith in Jesus Christ for salvation -- all of his 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 (Colossians 1:14; Acts 10:43). However, when we stumble, we are called to confess our sins - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Yes, Christians do sin (1 John 1:8) - but the Christian life is not to be identified by a life of sin. Believers are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have the Holy Spirit in us producing good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). A Christian life should be a changed life. A person who claims to be a believer yet continually lives a life that says otherwise should question the genuineness of his faith. Christians are forgiven no matter how many times they sin, but at the same time, Christians should live a progressively more holy life as they grow closer to Christ.
OWOLABI SUNDAY
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for reminding me that regardless of the upheaval in our nation or among the nations of the earth, You alone reign over this earth, in Jesus name.
Thank you that your King, the Lord Jesus, has been glorified in His victory over sin and death, in Jesus name.
I praise You that the power of your gospel conquered the power of darkness in my soul and brought the light of your salvation to my life! in Jesus name
Thank You that by Your grace this day I can join in your victory over the king of darkness by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony, in Jesus name.
My King help me to represent You well always, as like You, I love justice and practice equity, and above all pursue holiness…for You are holy, in Jesus name.
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