Thankful for Forgiveness

Happy Sunday! Today I continue with the theme of being thankful. Last week we looked at Grace, and today I want to talk about God's forgiveness. Let me start with this question: is there any sin that God does not forgive?

In Mark chapter 3 we find Jesus healing people and drawing large crowds. The religious leaders of the day accused Jesus of being the devil, and Jesus said this to them in verses 29 of 28 and 29 of Mark 3: "Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin." This is known as the unpardonable sin. It's deliberately resisting the Holy Spirit's witness and invitation to turn to Jesus. If you reject Jesus, you will not be pardoned.

With that said, if you're seeking Jesus, you can be forgiven for whatever it is that you may have done. If you look at scripture, you know that Moses was a murderer, David was an adulterer, the woman at the well had a sworded past, Jacob was a thief and a liar, Moses, our, our Noah was known to take a drink. The list goes on and on.

As I think back on my life, I'm thankful that I had great upbringing and that I was exposed to the truth very early on. Now, that doesn't mean I was without sin myself. All sin is bad, and I'm a sinner just like everyone else. Romans 3:23 tells us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." No matter how good we've been or how bad we've been, we are all in need of God's forgiveness.

I was taught the words of First John 1:9 as a child: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." That's great news. In one bold stroke, God's forgiveness obliterates the past and permits us to enter the land of new beginnings. In my time as a pastor, I've met murderers that are Christians now, and forgiven adulterers who have changed their ways and are able to move on because of their forgiven, addicts who have been forgiven for bad chapters in their stories.

Today let's look at a story that makes me thankful. Go with me to the Cross. Luke tells us in chapter 23 an amazing story, and I'll begin with verse 39. You remember the picture: Jesus in the middle, two thieves, one on each side. "One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, 'So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by Saving yourself, and us too while you're at it.' But the other criminal protested, 'Don't you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn't done anything wrong.' And then he said, 'Jesus, Remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And Jesus replied, 'I assure you, today you will be with me in Paradise.'"

I've always loved this story. I think it should answer any questions you might have about forgiveness. This thief, who was saved in the bottom of the ninth, did nothing but ask. He even admitted that he was guilty and that he deserved to die for his crimes. What were his crimes? I don't know. It doesn't really matter; they were smaller than the love of God.

What are your crimes? I don't know. However, I can guarantee you that they are smaller than the love of God. Also found in Luke 23 are some of the most startling words in all of history. While nailed to the cross, after living a sinless life, Jesus prayed this prayer. It's found in verse 34. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

Here Jesus made forgiveness available to all who were there: the soldiers who tortured him, the man who drove the nails, the crowd who turned on him, his disciples who ran away. The list goes on. The list includes you, and it includes me. Forgiveness is ours to accept or reject.

If you're a Christian and you are feeling guilt for something in your pth, Let It Go. Let It Go. God has celebrate the Forgiveness that comes with belief in Jesus. Let me close with the first five verses from Psalm 32.

"Oh, what joy for those who disobedience is Forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those who record, whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lies are live, lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I'll confess, confess my Rebellion to the Lord.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone."

David wrote Psalm 32, if you're wondering. He ends this, this Psalm with these words: "So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for Joy, all you whose hearts are pure!"

Pray with me. Lord, help us to rejoice and you and be glad. If we have asked you into our hearts, we have received forgiveness, and help us to realize that you mean it when you say it. And help us to put things in the past in the past. Help us to move forward, living as Sons and Daughters of the almighty King. Oh God, help us to be thankful for your forgiveness. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

God bless. Thanks for joining me today.