Radical: My God Forgives And So Shall I

Radical 3

My God Forgives and So Shall I

Message by Jeremy Sanchez

Written by Ashley Petallano

Ever had regrets in your life?

Wish you took that last nacho off the plate?

Still hoping that you didn’t leave immediately and missed your favourite action star?

Wish you could rewind time and said NO?

We’ve had our bag of mistakes in the present. Some of them, we just can’t bear to recall at because they were just too horrible or they just made us feel stupid. Others make us question ourselves: am I really a follower of Christ?

Sometimes, it gets too overwhelming that we just can’t accept the fact that we’ve done such things. Regret eats us up like a monster gobbling his first meat.

You might have even reached the point where you asked: Will God ever forgive me?

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 1:9

The book of 1 John discusses two beliefs. The first belief assumes that since we have a good spirit, we must abstain from all things that will soil our bodies. On the other hand, the second belief believes that since they have a good spirit, it’s okay for the body to experience soiling as long as it is not affected.

What does it mean when Jesus cleansed us from our sins?

His sacrifice on the cross cast forth all the sins from our lives. During the Old Testament, the Jews sacrificed clean, perfect lambs and offered their blood to only cover their sins. When Jesus came in the New Testament, he became the sacrificial lamb. His blood did not only cover sins, it removed them.

"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember no more."

Jeremiah 31:34c

God promised His people that should they come to Him and confess their sins out of repentance, He will forget, not keep record of any of it.

"When you were dead in your sins and the uncircumsicion of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceles the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross"

Colossians 2:13-14

All of our sins have been forgiven through Christ. Confession our sins is to align ourselves with how God looks at sin.

Have you ever felt heavy guilt?

Ever done something you know is wrong but went ahead anyway? (e.g. lied to your parents, gone to a place you’re not supposed to be, etc.). All of us are familiar with that heavy feeling after we’ve sinned. God actually uses guilt to let us know the gravity of our sin.

So what should we do?

1. Confess to God

We can confess our sins directly to God. We don’t have to ask someone to apologize for us. Directly apologize to Him when you’ve done something wrong. It’s like when we apologize to our parents. We don’t ask someone else to say sorry for us. It’s a lot better when we apologize ourselves.

2, Confess to others

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."

James 5:16a

Having someone to be there for you really helps out.

It’s best to have a friend to discuss matters such as this. Look for friends who know the direction of Christ and let them know what you’re going through. This will keep you accountable and firmed because your friends will pray for you and will keep on reminding you to do the right thing.

We should do the same for our friends. Rather than condemn them for doing something wrong, we should forgive and learn to pray for them.

When you ask for forgiveness, you will be healed.

Confess, pray and be healed.

How can we apply this more into our lives?

Just 2 simple ways:

- We must live a forgiven life

Dwelling on the past wouldn’t help. The mistake has already been done and continuously living in our guilt and not doing anything about it will keep us stuck. We must learn to ask for forgiveness from God and move on, do the right things. Don’t keep on hurting your siblings and just feel guilty about it. Do something. Ask for forgiveness and forgive yourself, then move.

¹⁷ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Let go of the past. Move forward.

-  We must forgive others as well

We must also learn to forgive those who have wronged us.

That girl who snubbed you and purposely ignored you because she thinks you’re a loser?

The boy in school who keeps picking on you?

The bullies?

Your parents who seem to not care?

They also deserve your forgiveness.

When you do not forgive others, it is not literally mean that God will not forgive you. This just means that you will not experience the peace of forgiveness even though you do all things right.          

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Heavenly Father will not forgive your sins."

Matthew 6:14-15

Since God forgave us, it is only right that we forgive others. When you refuse to forgive others, it does not mean that God will not forgive you. He still will but you won’t experience the peace of forgiveness even though you do all things right.

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:30-32

The last three things we should always keep in mind:

- God forgave me

- Live a forgiven life

- Forgive others

Forgiveness is divine. Forgive others as God has forgiven you through His son Jesus Christ and live a forgiven life.