Embracing Complete Forgiveness in Christ

 

Summary

In today's message, I want to address those who are burdened by guilt, feeling as though a cloud hangs over them due to past actions. King Jesus offers something far greater than probation; He offers complete forgiveness. When we come to Him in repentance, He declares us not guilty, forgives us, and reconciles us to Himself. Forgiveness is not about God giving us a chance to prove ourselves, as probation would suggest. Instead, God promises in Jesus Christ that He will remember our sins and iniquities no more. This is a profound truth that can be difficult to grasp because our natural instinct is to believe that God is merely putting us on probation, waiting for us to fail.

To help us understand the depth of His forgiveness, God uses vivid imagery. In Micah 7, it is said that God will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea, where they can never be found again. Similarly, Psalm 103 tells us that as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. In Jesus Christ, we do not live under a suspended sentence; the sentence for our sins has already been served by Him. This is why there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Forgiveness means that God has dropped all charges against us forever.

As we reflect on this, we must also consider how we respond when others sin against us. When someone who has hurt us comes in repentance, we face a choice: will we be like David, placing them on probation, or will we be like Jesus, offering forgiveness? To forgive is to reconcile, to embrace, to love, and to be at peace.

Key Takeaways:

1. Forgiveness Over Probation: Jesus offers forgiveness, not probation. When we repent, He declares us not guilty and reconciles us to Himself, promising to remember our sins no more. This is a profound truth that challenges our natural instincts. [00:11]

2. Vivid Imagery of Forgiveness: God uses powerful imagery to convey the depth of His forgiveness. Our sins are cast into the depths of the sea and removed as far as the east is from the west, illustrating the completeness of His grace. [01:20]

3. No Condemnation in Christ: In Jesus, we do not live under a suspended sentence. The sentence for our sins has been served by Christ, and there is no condemnation for those who are in Him. This truth liberates us from guilt. [02:21]

4. Choosing Forgiveness: When others sin against us and come in repentance, we face a choice. Will we place them on probation like David, or will we forgive like Jesus? Forgiveness leads to reconciliation and peace. [02:48]

5. Embracing Forgiveness: To forgive is to embrace, love, and be at peace. It is a reflection of Jesus' love and grace towards us, and it calls us to extend the same to others, fostering healing and reconciliation. [03:09]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Addressing Guilt and Forgiveness
[00:38] - Forgiveness vs. Probation
[01:02] - God's Promise of Forgetfulness
[01:20] - Vivid Imagery of Forgiveness
[01:39] - Depths of the Sea
[02:02] - East from the West
[02:21] - No Condemnation in Christ
[02:48] - Application: Choosing Forgiveness
[03:09] - Being Like Jesus
[03:36] - Embracing Forgiveness
[03:50] - Conclusion and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Micah 7:19 - "He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."
2. Psalm 103:12 - "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."
3. Romans 8:1 - "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Micah 7:19 say about how God deals with our sins? How does this imagery help us understand the completeness of His forgiveness? [01:20]

2. In Psalm 103:12, what is the significance of the distance "as far as the east is from the west" in describing God's forgiveness? [01:39]

3. According to Romans 8:1, what is the status of those who are in Christ Jesus concerning condemnation? How does this relate to the sermon’s message on forgiveness? [02:21]

4. How does the sermon describe the difference between forgiveness and probation? What are the implications of this difference for believers? [00:38]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the imagery of sins being cast into the sea (Micah 7:19) challenge a person's understanding of forgiveness? What does this suggest about God's view of our past sins? [01:20]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our natural instincts might misinterpret God's forgiveness as probation? How can believers overcome this misconception? [01:02]

3. How does the concept of "no condemnation" in Romans 8:1 provide freedom from guilt for believers? What does this mean for someone struggling with past mistakes? [02:21]

4. The sermon contrasts David's approach to forgiveness with Jesus'. What are the potential consequences of choosing probation over forgiveness in personal relationships? [02:48]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt burdened by guilt. How does understanding God's complete forgiveness change your perspective on that situation? [00:11]

2. Consider someone who has wronged you and sought forgiveness. How can you apply the principle of casting their "sins into the depths of the sea" in your relationship with them? [01:20]

3. How can you remind yourself daily of the truth that there is "no condemnation" for those in Christ? What practical steps can you take to live in this freedom? [02:21]

4. When faced with someone who has hurt you, what steps can you take to choose forgiveness over probation? How can this choice impact your relationship with them? [03:09]

5. Think about a relationship in your life that needs reconciliation. What actions can you take to embrace, love, and be at peace with that person, reflecting Jesus' forgiveness? [03:36]

6. How can the vivid imagery of God's forgiveness (casting sins into the sea, removing them as far as the east is from the west) influence your approach to forgiving others? [01:39]

7. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to accept God's forgiveness. What steps can you take to fully embrace His grace and let go of guilt? [00:38]

Devotional

Day 1: Forgiveness as a Divine Declaration
When we come to Jesus in repentance, He offers us complete forgiveness, not a temporary reprieve or probation. This forgiveness is a divine declaration that we are not guilty, and it reconciles us to God. Unlike human systems that often require us to prove ourselves worthy of a second chance, God's forgiveness is absolute and final. He promises to remember our sins no more, which challenges our natural instincts to believe that we are merely on probation, waiting to fail. This profound truth liberates us from the burden of guilt and allows us to live in the freedom of His grace. [00:11]

Hebrews 8:12 (ESV): "For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you still feel like you're on probation with God? How can you embrace His complete forgiveness today?


Day 2: The Depth of Divine Forgiveness
God uses vivid imagery to help us understand the depth of His forgiveness. In Micah 7, He promises to cast our sins into the depths of the sea, and in Psalm 103, He removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. These images illustrate the completeness and finality of His grace. Our sins are not just forgiven; they are removed and forgotten, never to be found again. This understanding of forgiveness challenges us to let go of our past and live in the freedom that Christ offers. [01:20]

Micah 7:19 (ESV): "He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

Reflection: How does the imagery of your sins being cast into the sea change your perspective on God's forgiveness? What past sins do you need to let go of today?


Day 3: Living Without Condemnation
In Jesus Christ, we do not live under a suspended sentence. The sentence for our sins has already been served by Him, and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. This truth liberates us from guilt and allows us to live in the freedom of His grace. We are not waiting for a future judgment; we are already declared not guilty. This assurance should transform the way we live, freeing us from the fear of condemnation and empowering us to live boldly for Christ. [02:21]

Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV): "And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross."

Reflection: What fears or doubts hold you back from living in the freedom of no condemnation? How can you remind yourself of this truth daily?


Day 4: The Choice to Forgive
When others sin against us and come in repentance, we face a choice: will we place them on probation like David, or will we forgive like Jesus? Forgiveness is not just a personal release; it is a choice to reconcile, to embrace, and to love. It is a reflection of Jesus' love and grace towards us, and it calls us to extend the same to others. This choice leads to healing and peace, both for ourselves and for those we forgive. [02:48]

Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV): "Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'"

Reflection: Think of someone who has hurt you. Are you willing to forgive them as Jesus forgives you? What steps can you take today to begin this process?


Day 5: Embracing Forgiveness
To forgive is to embrace, love, and be at peace. It is a reflection of Jesus' love and grace towards us, and it calls us to extend the same to others. Embracing forgiveness means letting go of bitterness and resentment, choosing instead to love and reconcile. This act of grace fosters healing and peace, both in our relationships and within ourselves. It is a powerful testimony of the transformative power of God's love in our lives. [03:09]

Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV): "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Reflection: What is one relationship in your life that needs healing through forgiveness? How can you take a step towards reconciliation today?

Quotes


here's what I want to speak particularly to every person in the congregation today who struggles with guilt a sense of a cloud hanging over you because of what you have done King Jesus has something wonderfully better for you than placing you on probation when you come to him in repentance he declares you not guilty he forgives he reconciles and forgiveness is so much better than probation amen it really is [00:00:00]

forgiveness is not God giving you the chance to prove yourself that's what probation is no God says to you in Jesus Christ your sins and your iniquities I will remember no more and because we find it so hard to really grasp what forgiveness is because our natural instinct is always to think that God has really put us on probation and that he has it in for us in the end [00:00:46]

the Lord himself deploys the most vivid pictures to communicate what he's done with our sins he says in Micah and chapter seven or or it is said to God in Micah and chapter seven you will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea isn't that glorious they'll be thrown into the depths of the sea where you could never find them again [00:01:20]

or to use another visual image in Psalm 103 as high as the heaven is above the earth so great is our Father's love for us and as far as the East is from the west so far has he removed our transgressions from us in Jesus Christ brother sister you do not live under a suspended sentence [00:01:49]

the sentence for your sin and for mine has been passed on Jesus Christ and he has served it already that is why there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus and forgiveness is God dropping all charges against you forever [00:02:12]

now let me make this application before we move on there will come times in your life when you will have to choose between being like David and being like Jesus suppose your trust has been broken suppose you have been sinned against and the person who has sinned against you comes to you in repentance what are you gonna do [00:02:43]

will you choose probation or will you choose forgiveness the person who has hurt you comes to you in repentance you could say well it's up to you to prove yourself now you mess up again you're gone and I am going to be watching you like a hawk that would be very like David but to forgive would be like Jesus [00:03:15]

and to forgive means to reconcile it means to embrace it means to love and it means to be a piece [00:03:47]

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Transcript
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