Do you struggle to believe that God has completely forgiven you?
Yeah, me too.
The fact that God has forgiven us eternally is absolutely mind-boggling.
It is especially hard to believe when we feel guilty and weakened by sin.
I have to remind myself of this truth every day. Every moment. For even if I fully believe it right now, I could forget it the very next second, if I give in to the weakness of doubt.
Here are 10 things I want to remember when I struggle to believe God’s forgiveness:
1. We aren’t forgiven based on our righteousness, but by God’s mercy
Nothing we do can make God forgive us. It is His righteous mercy alone that covers our sins.
“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy…” (Titus 3:4-8a)
2. He forgives us for His Own sake
It is by His character and His Name that God forgives.
“O Lord, according to all Your righteous acts, let your anger and Your wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy hill, because [of] our sins…Now therefore, O our God, listen to the prayer of your servant and to his pleas for mercy, and for Your own sake, O Lord, make Your face to shine upon Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by Your name. For we do not present our pleas before You because of our righteousness, but because of Your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for Your Own sake, O my God, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.” (Daniel 9:16-19)
3. God never lies
We can trust God when He says that He has forgiven us.
“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.” (Titus 1:1-4)
4. Christ does not condemn us, He sets us free
Christ has freed us from sin. It would be silly to think He died for us and then still held our sins against us!
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2)
Christ died not to condemn us, but to convict us of sin, and to convince us to accept His forgiveness and to live in His Spirit. If condemnation confuses you check out my article, Finding Freedom From Guilt.
5. Christ condemned sin itself
Christ became human to condemn sin and defeat its power to condemn us!
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-4)
6. Grace is a gift that we desperately need, but that we don’t deserve
We were dead in our sins but God rescued us and brought us to life.
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9)
7. We aren’t worthy, but we are God’s children
It is true. We aren’t worthy of God’s love. But an amazing thing happens when we become God’s children.
We are made worthy because we are in Christ who is worthy of all glory and praise.
“But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
“And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 1:30)
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19)
8. Every sin we truly repent of is forgiven forever
God’s forgiveness is eternal!
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)
9. God is the One who covers our sin
We can’t hide our sin from God and only He can erase our transgressions.
“I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for My Own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25)
10. His goodness is what restores us
We must call on Him alone. All other things will fail, but His steadfast love abounds.
“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You.” (Psalm 86:5)
When we are discouraged or feeling weak, doubt can quickly take root in our hearts. On the days when uncertainty prevails it is important to know the truth.
Remember Rose: God’s mercy and forgiveness are freely given to you. Nothing can take it away—Christ’s grace is eternal and secure!
A daughter of the King, Gabriella loves to share the teaching that the Lord has given her through the joys and trials of her life. The desire of her heart is to grow her love, knowledge, and maturity for Christ and the truth found in His Word.
Do you have any thoughts on God’s forgiveness? When is it most difficult for you to believe this truth?
Comment below, Roses, and let’s chat!
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