Forgiveness is a Favor

The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

Psalm 145:8 (NIV)

We have all experienced that moment when we don't know how to approach God in prayer. The disposition is there, the desire is there, but deep down, we lack the courage to pray. Knowing that we have disobeyed God, which led us to sin, we feel too guilty and unclean to dare enter His presence. Even though we are assured that confession will cover our sins, we feel too unworthy to approach God.

This is a reality every true Christian faces when they sin. It is the moment when they most doubt God's love and wonder if He will forgive their sins. If you find yourself in this situation, take comfort, because God is not a man to lie. When He says He will forgive us our sins, even if it may seem difficult to believe given our many sins, He will do it. Perhaps if it were up to Him, He wouldn't do it. But when He remembers the blood shed by His Son and the cross He carried on His back to Calvary, He won't hesitate for a moment to forgive your sins.

Unlike us, who become angry at the first slight, God takes His time to act. He sees us through our weaknesses and our natural tendencies to be carried away by the lusts of this world. Out of compassion, instead of allowing us to fall into sin and then punishing us, He chose to give us the Holy Spirit to convict us of our sinful nature. Out of love for you, God will never tire of forgiving you, no matter how many times you fall. This is a favor He will certainly grant you, for He always keeps His promise.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.