Moving through this first month of 2025, our ‘Lighthouse Missives’ continue to focus on core Biblical Truths. These truths are foundational and provide us with Spiritual and Emotional Strength and Courage to endure a fallen world’s societal norms and temptations. These truths also require us to face and accept our sinful nature. Thankfully, these same Biblical Truths give the Believer Hope by encouraging us and teaching us to live a life accepting of God’s Forgiveness. A Life of Grace through Christ Jesus.
Background:
John 3:16: “…For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life…”.
2 Timothy 3:16: “…All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness…”.
Hebrews 4:12: “…For the Word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of Soul and Spirit, of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart…”.
Understanding that Christ is the Living Word, Then….
Romans 3:23: “…For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”.
1 John 1:9: “…If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness…”.
Isaiah 43:25: “…I (God), I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins…”.
Isaiah 55:7 “…Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon…”.
2 Chronicles 30:9b “…For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him…”.
Acts 3:19 “…Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…”.
John 3:18: “…He that believeth on him (Christ) is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God…”.
1 John 2:2: “…He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world…”.
Ephesians 1:7: “…In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His Grace…”.
Romans 8:1-2 “…Therefore, there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the Law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death..”.
2 Corinthians 7:14: “…If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin…”.
2 Corinthians 5:17: “…Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation: The old has gone, the new has come…”.
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God’s forgiveness may be difficult to receive, because we can’t see it God’s way. We want to pay for or earn God’s forgiveness, but we cannot. Indeed, we often cannot forgive ourselves (i.e., to receive God’s Forgiveness) for our mistakes, sinful actions, and bad choices.
Hence, why God sent His Son Christ; God paid the price for our forgiveness with the death of His Son on the cross. Why? Because He desired His Creation to return to Him and have a personal relationship with Him. Just as He initially planned before Adam and Eve’s sin. An intimate and personal “Sin Forgiven” relationship.
When we ask for, accept, and receive God’s forgiveness, our mind, body, and Spirit are renewed (with God first; then with loved ones second, etc.), and our Hope for a new future (2 Corinthians 5:17) is once more part of our daily life, daily thinking, and our World View.
Can we still, at times, feel (in our ‘flesh’) unforgiven? Initially, Yes! But over time, the continual application of the Word of God sinks into the human mind and ‘reprograms our thinking’ (2 Cor. 5:17). Then, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Living Word of God (Jesus Christ) the Believer begins to live the ‘God Forgiven Life’….always thankful for God’s un-earnable Grace and Forgiveness. A Life of Grace Through Christ Jesus.
Biblical Truths on Forgiveness,
Soli Deo Gloria
Sola Gratia
LEO BT Chaplain B
