| A Lesson In Forgiveness |
| By Dr. Bob Leib, Pastor Boaz Baptist Church Stoystown, PA |
| "...Mercy rejoiceth against judgement." James 2:13 |
| If I asked you, Are you saved, or are you certain you would go to Heaven, how would you reply? "I don't know." "I think so." "I hope I am." "I'm working at it." If your answer was like any of those listed above, then I must tell you dear friend, that you do not understand forgiveness. Forgiveness means that a person who is guilty of a crime gets pardoned. Just that simple. In the same way, when a SINNER who is guilty of SIN gets pardoned, he is forgiven. Just that simple. You might ask me how I know I'm saved and going to Heaven when I die. That's a simple question for me. My answer to you would be, "I've been forgiven!" I'm NOT working to get forgiveness, I possess it now. I'm NOT hoping to get forgiveness, I settled it years ago with The LORD. I don't THINK I'm saved, I KNOW I'm saved because of God's Precious Promises in the Bible. If you read them with me, you too may find the forgiveness your soul has been longing for. King David said, "there is forgiveness with thee," Ps. 130:4 St. Paul said, "In whom we have redemption thru his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Eph. 1:7, also Col 1:14 St. John said, "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,..." John 1:9 Forgiveness is NOT found in religion, baptism, or "the mass." Forgiveness is NOT found in a priest, preacher or a church. Forgiveness IS found in a person, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. Forgiveness is available to you now because God chose to forgive you through the death of His Son on Calvary's cross. In order to receive forgiveness you must first believe you are guilty of sin. "We have...proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;...there is none that doeth good, no, not one...all the world [is] guilty before God...For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:9, 12, 19, 23. Now if you don't believe you are a sinner, why are you searching for forgiveness? No doubt you've read this far because you are truly concerned about the salvation of your soul. Second, you must believe that you deserve the penalty of your sin, eternal death in Hell, because you've sinned against an Eternal God! "...Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:15 "...The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Ezekiel 18:4 Unbelievers "...shall be punished with everlasting destruction..." II Thes. 1:9 Dear Friend, you deserve punishment, BUT a MERCIFUL and COMPASSIONATE God intervened and willingly laid your sins and guilt on His Son, Jesus Christ. That's what Salvation is...forgiveness! God "hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us..." II Cor. 5:21 "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities..." Isa. 53:5 Last, you must ask God to forgive you for Jesus sake. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom 10:13 Dear Friend, forgiveness is not automatic. You cannot "try to be forgiven." You must ask God for it. He wants you to call on His Name for Salvation. "For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; plenteous in mercy unto all then that call upon thee." Psalm 86:5 Simply bow your head, and call upon the Name of The Lord, asking Him to forgive you and save your lost soul. Like millions before you, you too will have complete forgiveness of ALL you sins. "I write unto you...because your sins are forgiven you, for his name's sake." I John 2:12 Once you've received forgiveness, YOU ARE FORGIVEN. Just that simple! For further information, or spiritual help, please contact: |
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