Can You Be Forgiven?

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

~1 John 1:9

I’ve read, met, and spoke with people who are living with guilt that prompted me to share what I have discovered when I was searching for answer myself.  I hope this will help you discovered God’s mercy and grace and truly understand who God really is and be able to let go of the guilt you have been keeping in your heart.

Can You Be Forgiven?

The Reality of God’s Love

By Dr. Charles Stanley

If you feel guilty about sins from the past, the Scriptures have a special assurance for you. Since the Corinthians believers were also have struggling, Paul offered to them-and-us this counsel and hope:  “Such (sinners) were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11)

In the verses preceding these encouraging words, Paul lists some disgraceful lifestyle that continue to the modern day. Every week, pastor hear from people who ask whether the Lord can forgive them for a homosexual lifestyle, adultery, abusive behavior, or one of  a host of other transgressions. The answer is yes.  He can and will forgive the Christian’s every sin, in accordance with 1 John 1:9

Until a believer understands how the Lord forgives and remove sin, he or she will carry the guilt. Promises to do better end in futility. Forgiveness is based only on the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He bore your sin on the cross and died in your place. When you acknowledge that He alone can make you righteous before God, then you are set free. You are given a new mindset-one guided by the Holy Spirit to focus upon the things of God instead of your desires.

Do you wake up each morning to face another day of dragging your guilt around?  You don’t have to. The Lord is waiting to take that load from you and cast it as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12) All you must do is hand over your burden and receive His forgiveness.

The Reality of God’s Love

Does anything prevent  you from feeling confident that God loves you? Perhaps you are convinced some sin from your past blocks His love. In that case, think about Paul. He violently persecuted Christians before he himself finally turned to the Lord. If such a man knew God loved him, would that help you realize you too are loved?

Whatever your experiences are, Paul probably encountered something you can relate to. Yet he kept spreading his message of hope: God love us and sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. 

Maybe you wonder how a God of love could allow you to be hurt or abused. Or, possibly you feel alone and unlovable. Paul encountered beating and imprisonment for preaching the gospel, his friends abandoned him, and he was even shipwrecked. But if Paul was able to have faith that God loved him, won’t you believe that God loves you as well?

Whether your situation is unfair, painful, or humiliating, the fact that is happened doesn’t mean God has stopped loving you. Sometimes we face difficulty because He is polishing our rough edges and molding us into His image. Other times trials instigated by satan are allowed in our life through the Lord’s permissive will. Either way, God is working everything out to our good, according to His individualized purpose for each believer (Romans 8:28).

The key to accepting the truth of God’s unconditional love is to focus on Him, not circumstances. When you are learning of Him, talking with Him, and sharing your life with Him, trust and faith naturally replace doubt and fear.

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May you find the answers you are searching for. And, may you forgive yourself and set yourself free.  Be good to yourself.  You owe it to yourself.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord makes His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turns His face towards you and give you peace.”  ~ Numbers 6:24-26

~Anna ❤