The teachings of the Bible remind us of our inherent humanity and the imperfections we all possess. Scripture emphasizes the importance of acknowledging our shortcomings and receiving forgiveness through the grace of God. One notable parable involves a Pharisee and a tax collector, illustrating the humility and repentance necessary for spiritual growth.
The apostle John reinforces this truth by stating that denying our sinfulness is tantamount to falsehood. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, affirms that where sin abounds, God’s grace abounds even more. It is important to note that seeking increased grace and love from God does not require us to deliberately indulge in further wrongdoing.
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Romans 6:1-2 (NIV)
Jesus, A Gift From God To All
Salvation is a blessing bestowed upon humanity through the selfless act of God giving His Son to redeem us from the burden of our sins. This act demonstrates the immeasurable grace and love of God, as Jesus Christ is the ultimate gift from above. It is important to remember that salvation is not earned or achieved through our own efforts, but rather it is an unmerited favour extended to everyone, regardless of their faith or religious affiliation. Through the gift of Jesus, we are granted the opportunity to receive this salvation, a precious and invaluable grace that we truly do not deserve but are blessed to embrace through faith.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 (NIV)
The spiritual standing of an individual is not determined solely by their transgressions, nor is it contingent upon their religious beliefs. The grace and compassion of God supersede the sins committed by all individuals. Unfortunately, it is often observed that we, akin to the Pharisees of old, sometimes adopt an air of self-righteousness, creating divisions and distancing ourselves from those with differing faiths.
It is imperative to refrain from passing judgment on others solely based on their wrongdoings while simultaneously seeking forgiveness for our own during moments of adversity. Considering ourselves privileged people of God, we ought not to hastily label others as sinners while striving for redemption. Such an approach might lead to misunderstanding and resentment, particularly in the context of teachings from a Christian perspective, where individuals, who may not view themselves as sinners, can misconstrue the intentions of such corrective measures, resulting in discomposure.
Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 2:2 (NIV)
The Nexus Between Repentance And Forgiveness
John the Baptist served as a herald, paving the way for the arrival of Jesus Christ. He exhorted the people to turn away from their sinful ways and embrace repentance. Forgiveness is made available to everyone by the sacrificial death of Jesus on the Cross for the redemption of the world. By understanding that God has sacrificed His son as an atonement for our sins, if we sincerely repent our sins, forgiveness is automatically applied to our lives. Those who are unable to obtain this forgiveness through repentance keep asking God to forgive them forgetting the forgiveness.
Forgiveness is the fundamental teaching of Jesus. In His instruction to His disciples, Jesus emphasized the importance of forgiving others and claiming forgiveness for oneself: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). This has misguided individuals to ask forgiveness instead of owning it through repentance. The message is that forgiveness is available to all who repent and we should recognize that everyone’s sins are forgiven. It would rather remind us that forgiveness is not merely a request but a solemn responsibility that calls upon us to embrace the grace and mercy available through Jesus to all humanity.
In light of this, we should strive to understand the depth and breadth of God’s forgiveness, realizing that it extends to all who genuinely repent. Genuine repentance claims forgiveness without asking for it. With this understanding, we can refrain from passing judgment on others and instead repent for our sins to own forgiveness.
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 (NIV)
The profound significance of God’s forgiveness of sins, which was revealed through the sacrificial act on the Cross, reminds us not to pass judgment on others as mere sinners. Rather, we should recognize them as individuals who, without the ability to lay claim to forgiveness, may benefit from hearing the Good News.
It is crucial to convey to them that their sins have been pardoned and they are no longer defined by their transgressions. Instead, they are invited to embrace this liberating truth through faith. John aptly conveyed this weighty message, emphasizing that God, in His abounding grace, extends forgiveness to all without exception. Furthermore, it is essential to reaffirm that God is ever-ready to bestow His grace upon grace, thereby delivering individuals from the clutches of the malevolent forces that govern this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Out of his fullness, we have all received grace in place of grace already given.
John 1:16 (NIV)
The Psalm On Repentance
The Bible teaches us the profound significance of true repentance as the gateway to forgiveness. It implores us to approach the process of seeking forgiveness not simply by uttering a prayer, but rather by genuinely acknowledging our sins and wholeheartedly confessing them before God. Reflecting upon the life of David, we find that he endured a heavy burden until he realized that true forgiveness could only be received through sincere repentance and confession.
As David experienced this transformative journey, he penned his profound realization that once he made the decision to honestly confess his transgressions, a weight was lifted from his shoulders, leaving him with an overwhelming sense of peace. It is worth noting that David did not explicitly ask for forgiveness, nor did God explicitly declare His forgiveness. Nonetheless, in a fraction of a second, David received the subtle assurance of having been forgiven. This powerful testament serves as a reminder of the transformative power of true repentance and the deeply healing nature of sincere confession.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Psalms 32:5 (NIV)
In the realm of divine forgiveness, even those who have experienced its profound joy may sometimes harbour doubts about their own spiritual integrity. It is not uncommon for individuals to feel the need to continuously seek forgiveness from God, influenced by the tendencies of the human mind, which often requires others to explicitly ask for forgiveness before it can be granted. However, in the realm of God’s mercy, things operate differently. Through the ultimate sacrifice, He has already obtained forgiveness for the entire world, never rescinding it once given. Unfortunately, the devil often deceives us into believing that our sins, which were forgiven by God two millennia ago, still hold us captive. Yet, like the Psalmist David, who understood this truth, our approach should not be to repeatedly ask for forgiveness, but to genuinely repent, surrender our lives to God for purification, and seek His sustaining joy. Let us remember that it is not God who withholds our joy, but rather the burden of guilt within ourselves that obscures it. Therefore, let us humbly beseech God for a willing spirit to uphold and guide us on our spiritual journey.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalms 51:12 (NIV)
The False Repentance
In various instances documented in the Bible, we observe that those who refrain from admitting their faults seek God’s forgiveness, completely oblivious to the fact that their forgiveness has already been granted to them. When Joseph laid eyes upon his brothers, who had come seeking sustenance, his heart filled with joy and he showed them hospitality and kindness. Joseph cherished his brothers and served them wholeheartedly.
However, upon the passing of their father, the brothers grew fearful and conspired to placate Joseph, fearing his vengeance was only withheld out of respect for their late father. They implored Joseph to forgive them, using their father’s final wishes as a plea, regardless of their own guilt or innocence. In response, Joseph wept. His brothers’ reluctance to truly repent kept them burdened with guilt, forever seeking forgiveness from Joseph (Genesis 50:16-17). In a similar vein, if we fail to truly repent, forgiveness will elude us, leaving us trapped in an endless cycle of futile pleas for absolution.
The True Repentance
Zacchaeus demonstrated unwavering determination in his quest to catch a glimpse of Jesus. His resolute commitment caught the attention of Jesus, who halted and graciously invited himself into Zacchaeus’ home. This encounter had a profound impact on Zacchaeus, leading to a complete transformation of his character and priorities.
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
Luke 19:8-9 (NIV)
Unaware of this inner change, the crowd criticized Jesus for associating with a person considered a sinner. In response, Zacchaeus, moved by his encounter with Jesus, willingly relinquished his amassed wealth, which had been his primary focus until that moment. Having encountered Jesus, Zacchaeus was now willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of his newfound faith. True confession leaves no space for asking forgiveness but gives us an opportunity to move forward in our spiritual walk.
The thief on the cross understood why he was being punished and was surprised to see Jesus being punished too. He instantly gained admission to the Kingdom of God without even asking for forgiveness.
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:42-43 (NIV)
Peter, upon realizing his mistake, was overcome with deep sorrow as he openly acknowledged his sin. Instead of simply asking for forgiveness, he humbly confessed, knowing that true contrition moves the heart of Jesus and invites His merciful forgiveness.
The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Luke 22:61-62 (NIV)
Are We Still Asking For Forgiveness?
Humility and repentance are pivotal in our journey toward eternity. However, it is unfortunate that believers are often taught to possess this key without being guided on how to utilize it effectively. Rather, they are instructed to merely maintain and safeguard this key, seeking to amass God’s grace through weekly rituals. In addition, elders and religious leaders encourage believers to engage in repetitive acts of repentance and confession, beseeching God for the forgiveness of their sins.
A metaphorical representation can be observed in the image of a colossal elephant, endowed with immense physical power, yet bounded by a seemingly fragile chain, held by the mahout. This captivating scenario reflects the establishment of a profound paradigm within the subconscious mind of the pachyderm. From its infancy, it is ingrained with the belief that it lacks the strength to liberate itself. Consequently, even as the elephant matures into a force formidable enough to shatter its shackles, it remains imprisoned within the confines of its own mental constraints.
While these practices reflect earnestness on the part of believers, they often fail to grasp the essence of forgiveness through genuine humility and heartfelt repentance. It is important to acknowledge that God provides every individual with an opportunity to become His children through faith in Jesus Christ. However, even after becoming His children, we tend to cling to our metaphorical key, incessantly knocking on God’s door, pleading for forgiveness.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
The Jordan Valley 
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