Christ is the answer to our desire for forgiveness. Do you believe?

Question

Not only do we thirst for meaning; we long for forgiveness, for relief from guilt and culpability.

There are many sources to which humans turn for such freedom. Their are many Idol worshippers who worship at temples and shrines al over the world. Many of these worshippers bring their gifts and offerings to be enlightened. Their emotions are assuaged, but their trangressions remain-and so does their guilt. Their devotions to statues do not offer forgiveness from their sins or freedom from culpability.

Gods that cannot hear cannot forgive. Gods that cannot breathe cannot bless. Gods that cannot speak cannot communicate acceptance, Gods that cannot create cannot re-create.

Only a living God-an incarnated, crucified, and resurrected Saviour-can plead our cause before the Father and undo our sordid past. Only a victorius, living Lord can nullify our trangressions.

Feel free to share any additional thoughts on "forgiveness".

Hi Beth: I really haven't given much thought to allowing e-mail through this site due to the demands on my time and the abundance of e-mail I am currently receiving on a daily basis. I have already begin reducing my time on this site due to my work schedule. I would very much like to get to know you and a few others on this site. I am more of a personal person. I may decide to allow for some contact in 2008. May God Bless you.

Answer 1

Is it forgiveness we instinctively seek? Or is it MERCY? To me seeking forgiveness is an indication that you seek to make a permenant change... mercy can be on a case by case basis... like trying to get out of something when you get caught - only to go and do it again.

When we come asking our Lord for forgiveness... or they go to their statuary asking thier gods for forgiveness... aren't we seeking mercy from punishment?

See in Judges how the people sinned by following false gods over and over... and then in punishment, God allowed them to be assailed and captured by their enemies. They would eventually ask for forgiveness to be delivered.

In Judges chapter 10, they followed false gods and were carried away into an 18 year long captivity before once again asking God for forgiveness - but this time He said "NO." They were not sincere in their repentance. It wasn't real forgiveness - just MERCY that they wanted so they could go back to their sinful ways in 'peace.'

Until the people irradicated all of their idols out of their land, and became serious about following the Lord, and truly seeking His ways and His forgiveness... God did not relent and forgive them.

Today we often seek a quick act of contrition and then run off to do more of the same. We want mercy, so we can continue as we always have without fear of consequence.

Only through Christ can we truly receive forgiveness... and only through true repentance - turning away from our sins - can we receive Christ.

1st John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

2nd Chronicles 7:14 ...if my people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Peace.

Answer 2

Eph 2:8-9
Acts 2:21
Job 19
Matt 25
Romans 3,6,10

Answer 3

Amen.


"Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that you labor is not in vain in the Lord". (ICorin. 15:58)

Answer 4

Forgiveness is healing. Guilt makes you sick.