Forgiven!

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. — Psalm 32:1

A little boy had just been tucked into bed by his mother, who was waiting to hear his prayers. But he had been naughty that day, and now it was bothering him. So he said, “Mama, I wish you’d go now and leave me alone. I want to pray by myself.”

Sensing that something was wrong, she asked, “Bobby, is there anything you ought to tell me?” “No, Mommy,” he replied. “You would just scold me, but God will forgive me and forget about it.”

That little boy understood one of the greatest salvation benefits of all — the reality of sins forgiven. The Bible indicates that in Christ “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:14). We who have received the Lord Jesus as Savior enjoy freedom from sin’s eternal condemnation (Rom. 8:1), and we can also have daily forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9).

The apostle Paul said that salvation provides these added benefits: we are justified (Rom. 3:24), and we are at peace with God (5:1).

We should never get the idea that our sins are taken lightly by the Lord. But when we acknowledge our guilt with true repentance, God is ready to forgive because of what Jesus did on the cross. It’s up to us to accept it. — Richard De Haan

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small:

Love so amazing, so divine

Demands my soul, my life, my all. —Watts

READ: Psalm 103:1-12

When God forgives a sin, He never brings it up again.

The Bible in one year:

• Judges 19-21

• Proverbs 7:1-5