INTENTIONAL FAITH · THE PROMISE
You’re right. You don’t. Neither do I. No one deserves forgiveness; if we deserved it, we wouldn’t need it. That’s the whole point of grace.
Some people fear that one day God will open a closet, find a skeleton they forgot to mention, and say, “If I’d known about that, I never would have let you in.” But God already knows. He has seen us at our very worst, and he loves us still. No sin is bigger than the Savior. If God weren’t willing to forgive sinners on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, heaven would be empty.
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities… as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:10, 12
Why you need the church
Jesus warned us to watch out so that no one deceives us (Matthew 24:4). Plenty of voices, religious and secular, will tell you that heaven is automatic, or that you can earn it by hard work and good behavior. Those voices are often persuasive, and some even quote the Bible out of context. That’s one reason the Christian life was never meant to be lived alone.
Find a family of believers where God’s Word is believed and taught. If you feel self-conscious because of your past, please don’t. A Christ-centered church isn’t a showcase for saints; it’s a hospital for sinners. The people there are imperfect and needy, just like you. A good church will teach you the Scriptures, walk with you, and help you find answers to the questions you still carry.
For reflection
- Is there something in your past that makes you doubt God could forgive you? What does Psalm 103 say to that fear?
- How has a community of believers helped you grow, or how could it?