"God Promises Forgiveness"

Part 4 of "Sweet Like Honey"

The BIG Idea:

There is no amount of sin in our lives that can separate us from the love of God. If we are willing to confess, God is willing to forgive. We can live pure lives because God promises us forgiveness through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Repent and believe is the message we are given throughout the New Testament to experience new life in Jesus.

A Prayer to Open the Message:

"Gracious God, thank You for sending Your Son, for offering a way to reconciliation and redemption through the forgiveness of sins. Please help us to confess and believe that You are just and able to completely cleanse our lives from all unrighteousness."

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! --Psalm 119:103 (NASB)

God promises us forgiveness through Jesus.

We are all sinners in need of forgiveness.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. -- Romans 3:23 (NASB)

I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. -- John 10:10b (NASB)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. --I John 1:9 (NASB)

This passage highlights three important noteworthy highlights for followers of Jesus.

-        Confess our sins.

Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. --Romans 8:34 (NASB)

Therefore, let's approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need. --Hebrews 4:16 (NASB)

-        Receive forgiveness.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. --I John 1:9 (NASB)

¹⁰ And straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" ¹¹ She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on do not sin any longer." --John 8:10-11 (NASB)

-        Cleansed from unrighteousness.

"Come now, and let us debate your case," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are as scarlet,
They shall become as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be like wool." --Isaiah 1:18 (NASB)

When we receive forgiveness from God, we are transformed.

Because it is written: "You shall be holy, for I am holy." -- I Peter 1:16 (NASB)

To be holy = "set apart"

I, I alone, am the one who wipes out your wrongdoings for My own sake,
And I will not remember your sins. --Isaiah 43:25 (NASB)

 

Questions for Reflection:

Why do you believe we struggle with the concept and promise of forgiveness?

What are the three important steps of forgiveness outlined in I John 1:9?

What was a driving motivation in the minds of the people who dropped their stones of condemnation from the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery as shared in John chapter 8?

Is there a sweeter promise of God than that of forgiveness?

Have you received God's forgiveness for your life?