Seekers and inquirers have often voiced this deep question of concern: “Why does God forgive?” and “How does God forgive sin?” There is plain teaching throughout the Old and New Testaments concerning God’s willingness to forgive and forget. Yet there are segments of the Christian Church that appear to be poorly taught concerning God’s clear remedy, through the atonement of Christ, for the believer who has yielded to temptation and failed his Lord. God knows that sin is the dark shadow standing between Him and His highest creation, man. God is more willing to remove that shadow than we are to have it removed! He wants to forgive and that desire is a part of God’s character. In the sacrificial death of a lamb in the Old Testament, God was telling us that one day a perfect Lamb would come to actually take away sin. That is how and why God forgives sin now. In John’s words: “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins . . .” (1 John 2:1–2a).
Verse
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. 1 John 1:9
Thought
God is more willing to remove that shadow than we are to have it removed!
Prayer
Lord, tear from me the cancerous sin that I am so unwilling to let go of. Save me from those things with which I would destroy myself. Thank You for always being willing to forgive me, and for true forgiveness.