The Truth About God's Forgiveness

May 30, 2024

A lot of us think or believe things about God that just aren’t rooted in truth. Some people think that God's out to get them. Some people, even believers, think that whenever they have a problem, "God's getting even with me."

Does God really act like this? Is He this really a God who holds grudges up in Heaven? A cosmic kill-joy, waiting for us to make one mistake?

These ideas of God are totally false. It is not the character of God to be “out to get us” or hold grudges. In fact, scripture tells us that God is faithful to forgive us.

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Have you ever thought about the fact that maybe some of your ideas about God aren't true

That's why we have to go to God’s Word, and find out what He's really like. That’s where he reveals his character to us.

In fact, God so deeply wants you to know what He's really like, He came to earth, over 2000 years ago in human form. He was called Jesus Christ. He came to earth so we would know what God is really like.

One of the things that Jesus taught is God doesn't carry a grudge. He is not the God of shame. He forgives my sins. Because I deserve it? No. But out of His grace.

Romans 3:23-24 For everyone has sinned...yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. 

And, according to Romans 8, there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus. That's good news! 

Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. 

How do you do on forgiveness? We talk about forgiveness a lot here at Seminole Church. If we have a tough time being forgiving, it's probably because we don't feel forgiven. 

Graced people are gracious people.

People who have received God's mercy are able to be merciful to others.

People who understand how much they've been forgiven find it easier to forgive others.

Anytime I start having a difficult time forgiving somebody all I have to do is stop and remember, “I will never have to forgive another person more than what God has already forgiven me.”

When you don't feel forgiven, I encourage you to get into God's Word and read the truth about God's love, grace and forgiveness toward you.

Seek Him. As you grow in understanding and learn more about God's true character, you will find healing in your own life and be able to extend that same grace and forgiveness to others.