The Forgiveness of Sins
Notes
Transcript
Today we look at a topic that affects every person whether or not they believe in God or not.
Forgiveness of sins points back to what Jesus accomplished on the cross and the effect that it has on sinful humanity. There is freedom in the forgiveness of sins.
Let’s read together about the forgiveness of sins in 1 John 1:5-10.
The forgiveness of sins is the gospel. This is the good news! This morning we will being with
The Necessity of Forgiveness of Sins
The Necessity of Forgiveness of Sins
What is sin? 1 John 3:4 describes sin as a rejection of the law that God has placed in our hearts. It is any action, whether outward or inward, that violates the law of God.
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
An additional scripture that gives insight on sin is Romans 3:23.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Two notes need to be made on the words of Paul here. First, when we sin, we do not bring glory to God. We fall short of the goal and aim of bringing Him glory when we sin.
The second note is important in this case because it reminds us of why the forgiveness of sins is a subject that touches every person. All have sinned. Every human soul that has ever lived is guilty of violating the law of God. We read of the result of sin in Romans 6:23.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
To say that the wages of sin is death is to say that those who sin are deserving not just of the death of the body here but an eternal death. There is a seriousness that I’m afraid is missing in the church today as we talk about sin. Sin ought to be something that we despise because of the results that come with it. Sin and the results of sin are why it is so important that we hold to a belief in the forgiveness of those sins.
In order to understand the nature of forgiveness and why it is possible, we have to have a grasp on the need for forgiveness. Verse 8 states that any person that claims that they have no sin is being deceived. They do not know nor understand the truth because the truth includes the fact that we have all sinned.
This is where our understanding of who God comes into play. We believe in the holiness and purity of God. The first half of Habakkuk 1:13 speaks to a separation between man and God because of sin.
You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?
Because of God’s purity, He cannot look upon sin or be in the presence of it. This is why there is a need for the forgiveness of sins. But just pointing out where there is a need is not beneficial. The gospel includes the plan of God to forgive the sins of man, but how is it that this happens? Next,
The Method of Forgiveness
The Method of Forgiveness
We begin with verse 9 of 1 John 1 where we are told that if we confess our sins, God will forgive them. We can be confident that they will be forgiven because God is faithful. But this verse also makes mention of God being just in forgiving us for the ways that we have sinned against Him. How is it justified that God can forgive us of our sins.
The simple answer is that these sins have been covered. When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, that means that their sins might be covered if they would simply confess those sins. The death of Jesus is the means of forgiveness and it was absolutely necessary. Why? Hebrews 9:22 makes this truth clear. The blood of the spotless lamb has made the forgiveness of sins just.
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Verse 7 clarifies exactly which sins will be forgiven because of the blood of Jesus. It is all sins. There are some that when they have a grasp of their sinfulness, they fear that God would never accept them because of the things that they have done. The reality is that because there is no depth to the mercy and grace of God, there is no limit on the amount or level of sin that a person commits.
Then we can look back to verse 9 and see how this happens. It happens by the simple confession and therefore repentance of sins. While it is a scary thing, it is also a good thing to say these things aloud to God. He already knows them but when we acknowledge them, we highlight his holiness and the lack of our worth. And yet, He loves us still.
Finally, I want to think about
The Responsibility of Forgiveness
The Responsibility of Forgiveness
The responsibility that we have in regards to forgiveness is twofold. First, if there is sin in your life that has not been confessed, it is necessary to confess that to the Lord in order to be forgiven of it! There is a reason why Jesus gives a regular habit of praying for forgiveness in the model prayer given in Matthew 6. It is freeing to confess these things. It takes courage. And the Lord honors that.
The second responsibility comes from the words of Jesus in Matthew 6, what I’ve just quoted for you. Jesus follows up His model prayer with Matthew 6:14-15.
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
It is vital that you and I forgive others as well. As a Christian person, we are to take on the attributes of Christ and this includes forgiving others when they sin against you. Apart from the atonement of sins by the blood of Jesus, we even have an example of this as Jesus hung on the cross in Luke 23:34.
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
I want to just ponder that for a moment. As Jesus, who was innocent of any crime He could have been accused of, was being punished on our behalf, He forgave those who were doing that to them.
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
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This morning we will respond with just two questions.
Is there sin in your life that has gone unconfessed?
Are there people in your life who you have failed to forgive?
