How Forgiven Are We?

Do you ever wonder how much God forgives? I mean, not what you may know intellectually in your head based on what Scripture clearly tells us, but what you feel in your gut. Do you ever imagine that God reaches a point where He just gets fed up with your continued failure and says, "That's all. No more forgiveness for you?"

I have to admit that on an emotional level I periodically feel that God must reach a point of frustration with my stubbornness, selfishness, and moments of rebellion that He just tosses up His hands and shakes His head. But thankfully I am more than just an emotional being. I have a mind as well. And it is what I know in my mind about God's love and forgiveness that ultimately reminds me that I could never wander beyond the reaches of His grace.

What would our lives be like if we truly lived like we believed there was nothing we could ever do to make God love us less or exhaust His grace? Would we strive so self-consciously to present ourselves as all cleaned up with no need for improvement? Would we cower away in shame and self-loathing when we miss the mark, yet again? Or, rather, would we walk with our heads held high with unending peace in our hearts because we know deep within our being that we are safe, secure, and eternally His? What would life be like if we truly knew in our heart of hearts that we were forgiven?

Let's say you resolve this issue of forgiveness and come to believe what the Bible says, that you are totally forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ; that your position before God is as one cleansed, healed, and righteous. How does that truth affect how you live today? Many might accept God's forgiveness for their sin and all the wrongs they have done...up to the point of their salvation, but then believe they must work to earn God's favor and forgiveness from that point forward for all the struggles and imperfections they possess. However, this type of thinking doesn't understand the broad scope of God's forgiveness. You see, when He says you are forgiven, you are totally forgiven.

God's forgiveness doesn't mean we never do anything wrong. It simply means that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to pay the penalty for all our sins - past, present, and future. That's right, Jesus paid it all. When you receive the free gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ you are covered, permanently forgiven of ALL your sin.

Some cringe at such teaching because they believe it will open the floodgates of licenseousness and that those who grasp such infinite grace and forgiveness will embrace a lifestyle of loose morals. But I would contend that when a person truly understands the limitless expanse of God's forgiveness it actually produces a humility that motivates them toward righteousness, not the opposite.

So, again I ask, what would your life be like if you believed God's forgiveness was truly complete and eternal? I look forward to the result...

Free in forgiveness,

jonathan