I tell you, there is something placed in my heart that I just have to get out. I had an interesting conversation with one of my friends. It was about sinning and the forgiveness of God. He believes that Jesus Christ died on the cross for his sins and is raised from the grave. However, it was difficult for him to understand that ALL of his sins are forgiven. He kept saying, �How can God forgive me of some of the things I have done and thought?� I am going to try my best here to allow the Holy Spirit to work through me and explain this.

You see, we are all sinners. A sin is a sin. There are two different kinds of sins in human comprehension, that is, legal and illegal. For example, a legal sin would be lust in the heart. An illegal sin is committing murder. In human comprehension, committing murder is a worse sin than lust in the heart. However, in God�s eyes, each sin is equal. A sin is a sin. If someone accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, ALL of his sins are forgiven. Now, more than likely, a person who is allowing Jesus to take over his/her life would not commit the outward action of murder. Jesus said that hating someone in your heart is murder. This is the kind of murder that is legal, i.e. hatred in the heart. The only sin that is not forgiven is blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. So, do you think that someone hating somebody else is more forgiven than the person who commits the outward act of murder? In human comprehension, yes. But, in God�s eyes, no. A sin is a sin. If you accept Jesus of your Lord and Savior, ALL of your sins are forgiven.

My friend couldn�t believe what I was saying. I tried explaining it to him like this. I quoted the preacher Charles Stanley. �You cannot out-sin the grace of God!� As sin increases, grace increases all the more. Does that mean we are free to sin whenever we want? NO! If there is a struggle with sin, and only you and God will know it, then you are not taking advantage of being under God�s grace. If you think that there is a sin out there that would, in no way, be forgiven by God, then you are implying that Satan is more powerful than God. You might as well say to God, �Satan could strike you down in a heartbeat!� or �God, I know you are powerful, but Satan and his angels could take over Heaven any day if they wanted!� or �God, you are so weak compared to Satan. There is no way you could ever forgive me of any sin I commit�past, present, and future.�

You see, Satan is condemning you when you have such thoughts. It is his game with you. He gets a rise out of making you feel guilty when you lose your struggle with sin. He likes when you think that he is more powerful than God. Listen friend, Satan�s only power over God is when you give it to him. And even then, God knows that he himself is more powerful than Satan, because it is a fact.

Is your sin greater, better, less, or worse than mine? In your eyes, maybe yes. In God�s eyes, not even the slightest chance. Remember friend, a sin is a sin. Jesus defeated sin and death at the cross and in the empty tomb. Jesus became your sin at the cross. He put your sin to death. All you have to do is accept it. If you already have, Praise God! He made death look stupid by rising from the dead. My friend, please do not give power to Satan! Satan is no way more powerful than God. Once you give power to Satan, you will only destruct yourself. Even if you give power to Satan, he is still, in no way, more powerful than God.

Listen, when you die, what do you think the Lord will be interested in? How much you have sinned, or how much you have loved others? He already knows your sin. It is easier to sin than to love. We know this and he does to. He doesn�t want to hear what your sins are and how much you have sinned. He is in Heaven. Heaven is full of positives. Sin has no place in Heaven. Of course, he knows you are a sinner. Of course he knows that you struggle with sin. This is why he came to die on the cross! Love God and one another! This is what he�s after. Forgive others when they do wrong to you or anyone precious to you, just as the Lord forgives you of ALL of your sins! Have mercy on those who need it. This is what the Lord is after. Don�t focus so much on how much you sin. Focus in love, mercy, and forgiveness.