Welcome to “Going Deeper with the Word.” In this segment, we welcome people of all backgrounds, religious or not, to review the Word of God. The Word of God provides guidance, direction, and instructions for living our lives and walking with God.
We have been discussing the idea of God’s Boundless Love. Let’s go deeper into the Word of God together to see how God speaks about this.
Today, I want us to see how God speaks about forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a sensitive subject for me. My testimony is that I have done things in my past that were harmful and hurtful to myself and others. I feel both embarrassed and ashamed for the hurt I have caused.
For a very long time, I rationalized that there’s no reason for God to forgive me because I don’t forgive myself. I rationalized that if the people I hurt don’t forgive me, then why should God forgive me?
To this day, even though I understand so much more about God’s love, I still wrestle with this because I would find it very normal for someone not to forgive the things that I’ve done.
Here are some Bible verses that helped me accept that when I asked God for forgiveness, He truly wiped the slate clean. It may not undo the harm I’ve caused or the consequences that resulted from my actions, but the most important relationship in my life, the almighty God, has forgiven me.
Let’s start with 1 John 1:9
If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].
John 1:9
This scripture says in plain language, if we admit we have sinned and confess, He will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually. This verse applied to me for the harm I was causing myself through addiction. I prayed and prayed and prayed for God to help me break free of the stronghold of addiction. Sometimes I would break free of temptation, only to relapse inevitably.
There was a fundamental shift when I decided to confess my sins to the pastor of my church. From this point forward, I would see my relapses become less and less, to where I felt I had far more control than I ever had. It was one of the most difficult conversations I’ve ever had in my life, but it showed the truth of the scripture.
Here is a something to think about:
“Is there a private battle in your life you’ve been fighting for a long time, a repeating sin that you have kept close to your chest? What has kept you from confessing this sin? Do you believe confession could be the key for God to help you break free of this stronghold?”
“Let us know in the comments”
Here is another verse to consider
Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who always does good and who never sins.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
In this verse, we see the important truth that none of us is free from sin. We all sin. The question is, what do we do when we sin? Do we continue to sin or do we ask for forgiveness and do what we can to not sin in the future? Yes, God will forgive us for our sins if we ask, but this should not be used as a crutch or an excuse to continue the sinful behavior.
Here is another question for you:
“Is there an activity or behavior in your life that you know is harmful to others, and that you ask God to forgive you every time? What steps can you take to prevent this behavior in the future?”
Let’s look at one last verse.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].
2 Corinthians 5:17
This scripture that helped me to have hope that I would break free of addiction. I had accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. I recognized that in this decision, the old things, the old Steve, the previous self who regularly sinned, would pass away.
Many decades later, I definitely see how parts of myself that were very normal many decades ago, no longer exist. They have genuinely passed away into my past, and I’m living a new life in Christ.
Here is something to consider
Can you think of a behavior that was very common in your past but no longer occurs? Describe the behavior of your past and how you act differently today.
We have seen today that God’s Love is truly boundless. God loves us for who we are and where we are in our lives.
Has this message spoken to you? I invite you to ask God to show you His presence. For Him to allow you to see that you are never alone and that you are loved just as you are.
If this message helps you, you can like it, follow us, and share it with someone who needs hope today.
Have an amazing week, and we will catch you next time.
Bless you.
