Embracing Forgiveness

From Contributing Writer, Kimberlee Mendoza

The heart of the gospel is that we are all sinners, in need of forgiveness, and that Christ died on the cross to set us free from the power and ultimate consequence of sin.

As believers, we are assured that all our sins- past, present and future- are forgiven.  This is perhaps the most powerful and liberating aspect of coming to Christ.  Regarding sin, the psalmist declares “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalms 103:12).  Similarly, the Apostle John writes “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  The Bible declares that God’s forgiveness is limitless and, where sin abounds, His grace will abound all the more (Romans 5:20). 

Although there is no sin so terrible or shameful that it cannot be forgiven, there are some sins that are harder for us to release than others.  Sometimes, the memory of past sin continues to haunt us even after we have repented.  In this way, Satan exploits our feelings of shame by whispering that we are not good enough or that God would never use us; that he does not really love us; or by telling us if people knew what we had done in the past, we would be rejected.  We must remember that Satan is the father of lies.  If he can trap us in his web and deceive us into believing that we are condemned by our past, then he keeps us in a state of discouragement, limits our effectiveness and steals the freedom that comes through GRACE.  We are the most powerful for the kingdom of God, when we are firmly convinced that we are forgiven from every transgression- no matter how dark or ugly or shameful.  In Isaiah, God declares “though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).

Can you imagine if King David or the Apostle Paul allowed condemnation or shame to prevent them from embracing forgiveness and fully living for God?  Think of how the course of human history would be changed!  King David paved the way for the temple to be built and penned some of his most beautiful psalms after his sin with Bathsheba and after he wrongfully had her husband Uriah killed.  How? Because David had experienced the grace of God and he was firmly convinced that he had been forgiven of all his trespasses.  Similarly, the Apostle Paul preached the gospel all around the world and wrote nearly half of the New Testament, in spite of his past persecution of the Church.  How is this possible?  Paul encountered the living God, on the road to Damascus, and was cleansed from all his sins.  The forgiveness of God liberates the soul and empowers the believer to live victoriously.

Only when we are convinced that we are forgiven, can we truly be free from the shame and condemnation of sin.  I have found it helpful, when I am reminded of past sin, to acknowledge that it was for that specific sin that Christ died.  When my thoughts condemn me, I imagine God wiping each sin away and cleansing each shameful memory.  Accepting His forgiveness also requires me to trust His promise to cleanse me from all my unrighteousness.  This step is intentional. Trust is purposing in my heart to believe God and fully embrace His forgiveness in my life.