How does God forgive me?
Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation - Lesson 5, Forgive as God Forgave You, Question 2, p. 72
As believers, we are often confronted with our sin. The feeling of guilt and unworthiness can overwhelm us, yet there is a profound hope found in God’s forgiveness that washes our sins clean and covers us in Christ’s righteousness. This divine exchange, where our sins are forgiven and we are clothed in purity, is beautifully illustrated in the Scriptures.
Romans 3:21-22 tells us: "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." This passage highlights the cornerstone of our faith—the righteousness of God is given to us through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our adherence to the law. It is a righteousness that stands independent of our deeds, a gift bestowed upon us through grace.
The apostle Paul further expounds this truth in 2 Corinthians 5:21, stating: "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." Here, we see the awesome exchange that took place on the cross. Jesus Christ, who knew no sin, took upon Himself the weight of our sins so that we might be made righteous. This act of sacrificial love is the foundation of our forgiveness and our new identity in Christ.
The implications of these truths are transformative. When we receive God's forgiveness, we are not merely pardoned; we are completely cleansed. Our past transgressions are expunged, and we are granted a fresh start. In Christ, we are no longer defined by our failures but by His righteousness. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that we are covered by the purity of Jesus.
Living in this reality means embracing the freedom that comes with forgiveness. It means rejecting the lie that our past defines us and clinging to the truth that we are made new in Christ. As we grow in our faith, we should continually remind ourselves of God’s promise. His forgiveness is not a one-time act but a perpetual state in which we live. Each day, we can walk in the assurance that our sins are washed clean and we are covered in Christ’s righteousness.
God's forgiveness is a gift that transforms our lives. By faith in Jesus, we receive a righteousness that transcends our own efforts. Let us hold fast to this truth, basking in the grace that washes us clean and covers us in the eternal purity of Christ.
This blog series is adapted from Conflict Resolution vs Reconciliation. You can experience this teaching in several ways:
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