Freedom Through Forgiveness Series

Freedom Through Forgiveness

God's Answer to Your Deepest Needs - Part 5 of 7

Matthew 6:12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

This Morning I want us to look at " Freedom Through Forgiveness”. One of the greatest needs in our lives is the need for forgiveness.

Many people struggle with feelings of guilt, shame and fear. The reason we struggle with these feelings is because we have sinned against a Holy God.

God's word tells us that all have sinned and come short of God's glory. God's word also tells us that the wages of sin is death, but thank God the scripture doesn't stop there. If it did we would all be hopelessly lost forever.

It goes on to say, “ But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord ”. There is “ Freedom ” from Guilt, shame and fear through “ Forgiveness”.

1 John 1:9 says, “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

But before I get into the heart of this message I want you to notice three things about this scripture.

1.) If we confess our sins. Forgiveness is conditioned upon our confession of the sin that is in our lives. Not if we make excuses for our sin or blame someone else for our sin. We take personal responsibilities for our sins and confess them to God.

2.) He is Faithful and just to forgive us. That simply means that you can count on God to forgive you and cancel the debt of your sin and release you from the penalty of your sins. He is “Faithful and just” The death of Jesus Christ on the Cross provides the grounds for our forgiveness.

3.) Not only will God forgive you but God will also cleanse you of all unrighteousness.

I like what Hebrews 10:22 says in The New Living Translation let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. For our evil consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

When we confess our sins not only does God forgive us, He also gives us a clear conscience and washes us with the pure water of His word.

There's only one way to have Freedom from our guilt shame and fear and that is through forgiveness. Freedom through Forgiveness, and there's only one source for forgiveness and that is Jesus Christ. And there's only one way to get forgiveness. Ask for it.

Matthew 6:12 "This is how you should pray, “ Forgive us our debts”. How do you get rid of guilt? It's simple. You ask God. You ask for forgiveness.

Have you ever confessed a sin, maybe many, many times, but still feel guilty about it? Why is it that sometimes you confess something, you admit it to God but you still feel guilty?

The problem is that many people don't understand how God forgives. They don't really understand or believe how God forgives.

There is real Freedom Through Forgiveness when you understand how God forgives. I want us to look at four ways that God Forgives us this morning.

1. God forgives instantly.

2. God forgives completely. He utterly wipes everything out. Completely.

3. God forgives repeatedly. Good news for those of us who are not perfect.

4. God forgives freely. You don't earn it or deserve it; it's a free gift.

1. GOD FORGIVES INSTANTLY

Nehemiah 9:17 "You are a God of forgiveness always ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, full of love." God is always ready to forgive you. He forgives instantly, immediately, no delay. God is more ready to forgive you right now than you are ready to ask for forgiveness. He's always ready.

Have you ever hurt someone or offended them and then went to them to ask for their forgiveness? After you asked them to forgive you they say I will think about it.

They want to rub your face in it for a while and make you feel miserable before they forgive you. God never makes you wait for forgiveness. Never. It's instant, immediate; it's the moment you ask, without delay because your body was not designed to carry guilt.

Should a believer ever feel guilty? Yes, for about about as long it takes for you to admit a sin to God, confess it, ask Him to forgive you, and choose to change.

“Forgiveness is yours for the asking." He not only wants to forgive you, He wants you to feel forgiven. God wants you to walk feeling forgiven all the time. He doesn't want you carrying the load around.

It is instant. The great tragedy today is that there are millions and millions of people carrying around unnecessary guilt. It's just not necessary.