“For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12
Forgiven – to no longer hold sin against the person who has sinned against you.
The beautiful story that Luke recorded in chapter seven of his Gospel illustrates the forgiveness that the Lord bestows on those who come to Him. The woman who dared to enter the room where Jesus and other men were eating, carried in her hands the most valuable thing she possessed, an alabaster jar filled with perfume. She knew she was a sinner and that everyone would be judging her. She knelt at Jesus’ feet and washed them with her falling tears, then wiped them dry with her hair before kissing them. Then she broke the jar and poured the ointment on His feet.
The host began to question Jesus as to why He would allow this sinner to even touch Him. Jesus reminded him of all the things that he had neglected to do, but this woman had done so much more.
Luke 7:47-48 “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.”
This is just one example that Luke records of Jesus forgiving people. Often He told them that their sins were forgiven before He healed them, and He told them to go and sin no more.
The Scripture in Psalms 103 tells us that Jesus not only forgives our sins, but He places them in the sea of forgetfulness, never to be remembered against us again. He compares the distance He puts sin from us with the space between East and West.
Being forgiven of our sins places a responsibility on us to conform to the teachings of Jesus and become like Him.
Col 1:10-14 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.”
This has been a good week looking at all the things that God says we are. We are unique, special, lovely, precious, strong, chosen, and forgiven. I hope that you have been blessed as much as I have during this journey.
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that you have forgiven our sins, washed us in Your blood, and for all the blessings that you have given us as your children. Draw us closer to you today.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
6 Comments
Thank you. I very much needed to hear this today.
Thank you, Beverly. I am glad that this was a blessing to you.
Thank you so much for this article, so blessed and encouraged.
You are very welcome. God bless you.
Very timely.
Thank you, have a great day