Today’s reading:
Psalm 130:1-8
“But there is forgiveness with You, that you may be feared.” (v. 4)
It is generally said that “forgiveness” means different things to different people. Irrespective of how it is viewed, it is essentially an act of pardoning an offender by the one that is offended. It means letting go of grudges and bitterness or ceasing to feel resentment against someone or something. It involves an intentional decision to let go of resentment and anger. It is a decision not to hold something against another person.
On the other hand, the forgiveness from God is essentially a deliberate act of his love, grace and mercy toward the offending man. It translates to a man’s wrong not being held against him, having being removed and reconciliation effected. While it is generally difficult for men to forgive each other or among themselves, forgiveness is indeed a joyful and gracious gift which God is eager to give man. This is evident from the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ, who was slain before the foundation of the world (Rev.13:8), and was manifested later to bear the sins of mankind, resulting in his forgiveness of all their sins, before, now and in the future. No wonder David in our Today’s reading in v4 affirms that there is forgiveness with God, and in Ps 103:3, he confirms that He forgives all our iniquities. In the New Testament, Apostle John confirms in John 1:8-9 that God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
God provided forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ his son, and has lifted the sentence of condemnation from every believer, through His sacrificial death on the cross (Eph. 4:32). He no longer counts our sins against us and does not charge us with iniquity (Ps 32:2; Rom. 4:8; 2Cor. 5:19). Rather, He sees us as righteous, having imputed to us the seal of righteousness (Rom. 4:11, 23-24). In our Today’s reading in v3, the Psalmist points out that if God were to mark iniquities, who could stand? The answer is, no one! Having highlighted the roles of God in forgiving man’s sins, iniquities and transgressions, which are generally committed, the question is, what are the roles of man in receiving the forgiveness? It is right to say we all need forgiveness! It is important and imperative to mention that, even after becoming a believer, man is still exposed and falls into sins. This is why Apostle John in 1 John 1:8 says that if we say we have no sin, we lie/deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But gladly, provision is made in v9, that if we confess and repent of any sin, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from it.
For anyone who is not a believer in Christ, that is, has not accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, the foregoing scripture is not applicable. First, everyone must become born again, having surrendered to Christ whole heartedly, then a relationship is thereby established between him and Christ. He becomes a child of God, a believer (saint). Subsequently, if and when he falls into sin, he just needs to acknowledge the sin, confess it to God, repent of it and receive forgiveness. God forgives us, so He may be feared, according to our Today’s reading in v4. In fact, the fear of God should debar or prevent us from committing any sin.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: “Father, I acknowledge my sin against you. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. By the power of your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in your path of righteousness. Thank you, Lord,” If you said the prayer.
If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident pastor or priest.
Prayer:
Father, we appreciate you as the forgiving God of mankind.
Precious Lord, thank you for giving mankind forgiveness through your sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.
Lord, help us to live righteous lives for you and when we sin, help us to receive forgiveness from the Father, in Jesus name.
Father, please open the church to your forgiving character and so help your elect to see and embrace forgiveness and therefore, purity.
Father, let the leaders of our nation know you as the forgiving God and therefore, lead in asking for forgiveness for our land.
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