Lesson 2: God’s Forgiveness of Your Sin

God, who raises the dead to life and creates new things...Romans 4:17
 
It’s no secret that we live in a fallen world of sin. From infidelity in relationships, to cheating, to lying, to stealing, sin is everywhere! This sin ruins our life and tears us down. However, though we live in a world of sin, God is powerful enough to forgive us! But why would He forgive us? And how does He do it? Here are the three pillars to understand about God’s forgiveness of your sins.

God is the Omnipotent Creator. The Bible teaches us that with His wisdom and power He created the earth and spread out the heavens (Jeremiah 10:12). The prophets praised Him: God said “I am Powerful” (Psalm 62:11) and “Lord God, you stretched out Your mighty arm and made the sky and the earth. You can do anything” (Jeremiah 32:17). The Lord says of Himself, “I created everything from the sky above to the earth below” (Isaiah 44:24), and He created all things to be good, in His own estimation – perfect, like Himself, without sin.

God cannot stand sin. But people did sin. And since God “can’t stand sin or wrong” (Habakkuk 1:13), the sin separated people from God. This is the natural order of Creation, just as darkness cannot exist in the presence of bright light. When you know you have done evil and are disconnected from your Creator, “Your sins are the roadblock between you and your God. That’s why He doesn’t answer your prayers or let you see His face” (Isaiah 59:2).


He is powerful enough to declare you innocent. In the book of Exodus 34: 6-7, God declares that He is a fair judge. Just like He is merciful and patient with His people, He also has the power to punish those who sin. “But if we confess our sins to God, He can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away” (I John 1:9). In His great love, He “is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him” (Daniel 9:9).

But this forgiveness does not come cheaply. The death penalty for sin had to be paid, so God sent Jesus Christ to earth to live a perfect life, and then die – to pay that death penalty – for us. When you believe in Him, you can pray, “I have sinned against You; I have disobeyed You and have done wrong. So it is right and fair for You to correct and punish me” (Psalm 51:4). But He can forgive us because the penalty has been paid for us.

Now, no matter your sin or shame, no matter who has come against you, we can be confident of His power to “keep you from falling and make sure and joyful in His glorious presence. Before time began and now and forevermore, God is worthy of glory, honor, power and authority. Amen.” (Jude 1:24)

Pray today: Dear God, I have sinned against You. I believe that You alone have the power to forgive me because You died for me. Only You can make my life right in Your ways. Please forgive me, in Jesus’s Name, amen.