Jesus Style Forgiveness

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Jesus Style Forgiveness 1

October 29, 2007. Mustard Seed Thoughts

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22 NIV

Have you done something so wrong that you believe even Jesus couldn’t forgive you? I’ve encountered people who actually believe that, but most of us when we think about it would answer “no”. Jesus died for the “worst of sinners” according to the Bible, so His payment of death surely can pay for all my sins. Still, our feelings can tell us otherwise sometimes and the guilt of past mistakes often haunts us and keeps us from living happy, productive lives.

This series we will expose the lies of false guilt often placed upon us by our own minds, the world, the devil, and even sometimes the church.

Today I want to look at the advice Jesus gave Peter. Peter was never afraid to ask a question. He wasn’t concerned about public opinion or being perceived as a pest. If he had a question; he asked it.

Obviously Jesus was a forgiving, merciful person. That was obvious in the way Jesus lived his life. Peter wanted to know just how forgiving a person was to be; so he asked Jesus.

Jesus’ answer probably surprised Peter. Jesus didn’t encourage simple forgiveness. He encouraged Peter to give radical forgiveness to people in his life.

Wouldn’t we expect Jesus to follow His own advice?

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Jesus Style Forgiveness 2

October 30, 2007. Mustard Seed Thoughts

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1Jo 1:9

The Bible promises that if we confess our sins He will forgive us of them. I didn’t make that up. I read it. Hopefully if you started this devotional the way I intended you read it to. If we believe the Bible is true, then we have to believe this verse is true.

It is one thing to believe something is true and another to live it out as truth in our life. If you are like me, many times you don’t necessarily feel forgiven, even when you have confessed your sin. Why is that?

I believe it’s because we are human. We can’t fathom all the ways of God. We can’t fully realize the concept of forgiveness the way God forgives, because we aren’t wired that way ourselves. We may want to forgive seven times seventy (see yesterday’s devotional), but as soon as the injury we received comes to our mind, we need to forgive someone all over again.

God forgives completely. He purifies completely. He restores completely. We may not completely understand that, but it doesn’t make it untrue.

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Jesus Style Forgiveness 3

October 31, 2007. Mustard Seed Thoughts

The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, Romans 5:20 NIV

Could God have enough grace available for the deepest sin of your life? That really is the right question to ask yourself if you are struggling to accept His forgiveness.

Let me take it a step further. If you say He can’t forgive you or that He hasn’t, aren’t you really saying He is not able to? As we saw yesterday, He promises to forgive our sins if we confess them, so if for some reason He wouldn’t forgive yours, then either a) God is a liar or b) He isn’t strong enough to do so. Would you want to make either claim of the One who set the stars and planets in space?

I think we know the truth about forgiveness. I just think we have to accept it and apply it in our life.

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Jesus Style Forgiveness 4

November 01, 2007. Mustard Seed Thoughts

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6

He gives us more grace. I love that verse. I need that verse. My life is a testimony of that verse.

How about yours? Do you need “more” grace? Is your sin great? Are you involved in things right now that are just plain wrong and you know you need more grace?

Here’s the deal. God loves a humble heart. Want more grace? Go to Go; tell Him your sins; say you are sorry; receive more Grace.

Sound easy? On your part it is. It cost Jesus His life. He laid it down so He could give you more grace!

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Jesus Style Forgiveness 5

November 02, 2007. Mustard Seed Thoughts

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. Micah 7:18 NIV

This week we’ve talked about forgiveness. You need it. I need it. God gives it. Sometimes, though, it is hard to live in the reality of forgiveness. We often feel the weight of guilt easier than the freedom of forgiveness. That must break God’s heart. He gave His Son freely so that we could freely live.

Just as I finish that paragraph I find myself asking the question of the prophet Micah. Who is a God like you?

Can you imagine why a God who can paint a sunset and cause the waves to carve out a beach would bother to forgive a sinner like me? Apart from the depths of His love (Which can be the topic of a whole devotional series) His kind of forgiveness would seem impossible. Thank God He loves us that much. So much that He sent His Son as a substitute for our sin debt.

Today, if you never have, accept the free gift of grace and God’s forgiveness. You’ll break His heart if you don’t!!!