Do you feel remorseful and desperate? Are you embarrassed by some of your actions? Are you unsure if forgiveness is possible? When we are convinced of our sin, we can feel helpless and hopeless. Our humiliation leads us to believe that no one, least of all God, could ever forgive us. We may be unsure how we will continue. What hope could there possibly be?
Have you ever heard that God is merciful? Have you heard of His incredible love? Let's start with the good news: no one is beyond forgiveness from God. You have not outsinned God's power to forgive you, no matter what you have done.
According to the Bible, everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23). Each of us deserves to be separated from God for all eternity (Romans 6:23). We all deserve to be punished for our sins, whether they are rape, murder, terrorism, adultery, theft, pride, gossip, jealousy, lying, or not truly loving others. It's a case of all or nothing. God does not judge us based on whether or not our "good" overcomes our "bad," but rather on whether or not we would accept His rescue plan.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whomever trusts in him may have eternal life. God did not bring his Son into the world to condemn it; rather, he sent him into the world to save it through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned, but those who do not believe are already condemned because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God "(ESV, John 3:16–18).
Not just for some sins, but for all of them, God created a path of forgiveness. No sin is too great for God to forgive. God will forgive you no matter what you've done if you come to Him in faith.
Forgiveness can only be done in one way. God will not forgive you simply because you resolve to do better next time, make restitution, or do nice things. No, because Jesus paid the punishment for your sin on your behalf, He will forgive you.
Jesus was entirely God and fully human at the same time. He was sinless and lived a sinless life. He was, nevertheless, crucified on the cross. He died the death of a sinner. "For our sake, he made him [Jesus] sin who knew no sin, so that in him we may become the righteousness of God," the Bible says (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV). Jesus took our sin on himself so that we wouldn't have to. He completed the task and paid the price in order for us to be forgiven.
Because He resurrected from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, 20–22), we know Jesus spoke the truth and that His sacrifice on our behalf was successful. Although Jesus died and was buried, He was literally risen from the dead. Jesus was victorious over sin and death. He made it possible for us to be set free from our sin, guilt, and shame. He paved the road for us to progress from despair to actual life (John 10:10). If we will put our trust in Him, He will forgive us.
Do you want to ask God for forgiveness today? There isn't a single prayer that will offer you this mercy. As previously said, forgiveness is made possible by Jesus Christ's act. However, we can get this forgiveness by praying to God and asking for it in faith.
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