I’ve been recently teaching on one of my favorite subjects: forgiveness. I truly believe that many Christians do not really understand their forgiveness. This lack of understanding causes them to live like slaves to their sin! In John 8:32 Jesus says He came to set men free (“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”). Here’s some good news, Christian: ALL your sins are forgiven — you are FREE! We are free from sin. But, do we live like it? In order to live a life of freedom and joy, you need to understand that ALL YOUR SINS have been forgiven.
I love this little phrase: “All means all, and that’s all all means!” When it comes to forgiveness of sins, most Christians will tell you that ALL their sins are forgiven. Yet, there is a lack of joy, depression, guilt, and a propensity to perform penance that is found in the lives of many believers. Why? Take a look at the following verses and see if you can guess how many of your sins are totally forgiven:
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• 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for ALL, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…”
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• Romans 6:10 “The death he died, he died to sin once for ALL; but the life he lives, he lives to God.”
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• Hebrews 7:27 “Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for ALL when he offered himself.”
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• 1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from ALL sin.”
The fact is, if you are a Christian, ALL your sins have been paid for and forgiven. Even if you don’t FEEL like it! If Christ didn’t pay for ALL of your sins, you’d never make it to heaven. If you were a sinner, you’d mess up heaven! Praise God you are a Saint, washed clean by the blood of Christ. Instead of being depressed, lamenting and feeling guilty about your sins, why not take time to thank God for dying to free you from the bondage of ALL your sins? Remember: All means all…
Forgiven,
Bill
Posted in A Word from the Pastor