The message of forgiveness is one of the most beautiful in the word of God. In the book of the prophet Isaiah, 1:18, we read: "Come and reason, says the Lord, though your sins are as scarlet, they will become white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they will become like white wool.
Divine forgiveness goes much further than simply declaring someone innocent. God's forgiveness not only removes condemnation, as it offers power so that the sinner does not continue in the practice of sin. Forgiveness has to do with the transformation of the interior. Forgiveness is not only necessary to eliminate guilt by being stained by crimson or scarlet. God's forgiveness goes further. He transforms it to resemble the color of snow or wool, symbolizing purity.
In the sad experience of David, king of Israel, in committing a succession of sins initiated in adultery with Bate Seba, he was awakened by the prophet Nathan. Recognizing his sin, the inspired king wrote Psalm 51. Here we find three specific requests that help us understand the extent of the effects of God's forgiveness on our lives.
In verses one and two David asks God respectfully for forgiveness and purification. Interesting this request. In John's first letter, chapter one, verse nine we read that God is faithful to forgive and purify us. In the Gospel of John, 19:34, we read that "one of the soldiers wounded Jesus on the side with a spear, and then blood and water came out." Blood is the symbol of forgiveness and water the symbol of purification. With the death of Christ, not only is all sin forgiven, but the one who practiced it is also purified. David prayed to God for forgiveness and purification. And the third request of the king that we find in this prayer of Psalm 51 is in verse 10: "Create in me, O God, a pure heart and renew in me a righteous spirit." David asked for inner transformation.
Friend and sister, forgiveness exempt from condemnation. Jesus already paid the price and suffered the prayer! The purification cleans the subject left in those who are enveloped with sin. And inner transformation, as a result of the action of the Holy Spirit in human life, enables the individual to live according to the will of God claimed in the Scriptures.
Some judge that to claim the blessing of forgiveness they must first prove that they are reformed. But this is not so. Jesus appreciates that we approach Him as we are, sinners and helpless. We can go to Him with all our weaknesses, lightness and sinfulness. It is your pleasure to receive us in His arms of love, to forgive our sins and purify us of all impurity.
This is where thousands are wrong - they do not believe Jesus forgives them. But we must know that it is the privilege of all those who want, because forgiveness is offered widely for every sinner.
Friend and brother, the promises of God are for you who hear me and for me too. They are for every repentant transgressor. Strength and grace were provided through Christ, being brought to all who believe. No one is so sinful that he can not find strength, purity and justice in Jesus.
God does not deal with us in the same way that finite men treat each other. The thoughts of the Heavenly Father are of mercy, love and tender compassion. In Isaiah 55: 7, we have the invitation: "Leave the wicked one his way, and the evil man his thoughts, and turn to the Lord, that he may pity him, that he may be your God, for it is great to forgive." What a wonderful promise! God is great in forgiving!
Satan is ready to take out from us all spark of hope and every ray of light. But we must not consent to the insinuations of the enemy of good. We should not hear the tempter, but remember that Jesus died so that we could live. God undoes our transgressions as the fog the sins, as the mist (Isaiah 44:22).
Yes, we have a compassionate Father who is anxious to forgive us. The parable of the prodigal son, recorded in Luke, chapter 15, confirms this truth. Despite possessing riches and comfort, the younger son asked the father for his share of the inheritance and went out in search of pleasures in a distant land.
Having spent all his fortune he was abandoned by his own friends in the most complete misery. And while she was taking care of the pigs, she fed on her food and remembered how many employees in the father's house were in better condition. Then he decided what he had to say to his father and taken to his father's house.
In verse 20 there is the attitude of the father towards the prodigal son. "And when he was still far away, his father saw him, and moved with intimate compassion, he threw him around his neck and kissed him." This is how God promises to treat all of us who stray in the ways of sin.
In Jeremiah 31: 3 we have another wonderful statement: "With eternal love I loved you, with goodness it attracts you." Brother, every desire to return to God is nothing but the action of the Holy Spirit, attracting what has been lost to the loving paternal heart.
The prodigal son fell at the feet of his father and acknowledged being unworthy of being treated as a son. Ask to be received as an employee. But the father not only forgives, purifies and also orders that the condition of the child be transformed. Vestes, ring and a big party mark the return home. And this is how God wants to do with us. By accepting his invitation and approaching him as we are and are, the infinite love of the Father offers us forgiveness, purifies and transforms us.
In addition to being our lawyer (1 John 2: 1) Jesus also promises not to remember our sins (Psalm 103: 12). Do not forget about that. God wants to play all your sin in the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19) and offer a life renewed by His love and power. It's just wanting. It's just accept now.
