God Forgives Sin – Forgiveness Part 2

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Romans 3:21-27 (Click Link)

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. (Romans 3:23-24 NLT) From the time that Adam and Eve sinned against God in Eden (See Genesis 3) we humans have been sinners. Our own sin and disobedience has broken our fellowship with God and made our relationships with each other and our relationship with God far less than God intended. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. (Ephesians 1:7 NLT) God forgives our sin, not because we deserve it, but because God loves us and God is a forgiving God. God created humans for fellowship – fellowship with God and fellowship with each other, but sin broke the fellowship. God loves us, not because we are good, but because God is good. We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind. (Isaiah 64:6 NLT) History shows that all our human efforts to cover sin or satisfy the penalty of sin are ineffective. But because God still loves us, God initiated a plan of redemption, forgiveness, and restoration that was ultimately fulfilled when Jesus Christ, God’s own son, paid all the penalty for sin and paid the total price of redemption for us all. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. (Romans 3:24-25 NLT) God’s forgiveness, cleansing, and pardon to us is entirely at God’s initiative. It can never be earned, it can only be received by grace through faith! Prayer: O Father, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. (Psalm 86:5 NLT) Thank you with all my heart! I love you!

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