I sin. Every Day. Sometimes my sins are by commission. Sometimes they are by omission. But they are still sins. Some of them I’m aware of. Some of them I never recognize. Some are accidental. Some are intentional.
But I do not have to ask God for forgiveness. All my sins – every one of them – were forgiven when I became a Christian seventy years ago. This included sins past, sins present and sins future.
This calls not for a request of “Please forgive” but an affirmation of “Thank you, Father.” My attitude toward his action is eternal, massive gratitude and devotion.
That forgiveness guarantees me a place in heaven where I will spend eternity praising Him. It also permits me to have an earthly relationship with Him that includes peace, protection and power.
This is a total gift. His grace precludes any action on my part. And that, my friend, is GOOD NEWS.
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Jesus told the parable of the man who was forgiven a big debt by his master but would not forgive a friend of a small debt. Basically the man would not pass on something he had been given…forgiveness.
Is it a misapplication of that story for me to apply this to myself and the salvation I have been given? If I do not help others find the salvation I received as a gift am I displeasing my Master the way the ungrateful servant did his?