There are four important ideas in this little verse, and each one is a reason for hope in our every day life—HOPE of forgiveness and healing!
First of all, there is not a limit on how many sins God can forgive. Have you ever felt…”Oh, that mouth of mine. I got angry again and just spewed out those vicious words! Now, I’ve done it. Why don’t I ever learn?!” If you’ve fallen short again and again, take a moment right now to ask God for his marvelous gift of grace—one more time. God loves you and is waiting for you to turn your heart to him.
Or maybe you’ve thought, “This time, my sin is really too great, too big for God’s forgiveness.”
Do you remember the prostitute thrown at the feet of Jesus? The crowd wanted to stone her. But Jesus said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” They all realize the weight of their own mistakes and leave quietly. Then Jesus asks the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No,” Lord, she said, and Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:4-11)
Or do you sometimes think you are in such a pit of darkness that you’ll never be able to heal or never get out of the pit? I remember feeling just like that when our 18 year old son took his life. I thought I would remain in the darkness of my anguish and pain forever. But the good news of the Gospel pierced my dark heart, and the light of God’s Grace came shining in. Little by little, I trusted, Little by little I believed…and the darkness, ever so slowly disappeared. The light of God’s forgiveness shined upon me, and my heart was healed.
Do you remember the disciple named Thomas? He actually lived with Jesus for three years. He was taught personally by the Son of God, and yet he stubbornly denies the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead. “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side,” Thomas proudly proclaims.
(John 20:25) But Jesus lovingly intervened, didn’t he? Eight days later, Jesus appears to the disciples, and gently says to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” And he did.
God’s Grace Always Wins! His death and resurrection make forgiveness possible for numerous shortcomings, for huge mistakes, for a dark soul, or for a stubborn heart. Jesus desires to forgive you, to transform you, and to teach you. You can put your faith and hope in him!
”Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”
John 8:12 NLT
Fill your life with the light of God’s love for you,
I absolutely love this for my guys that I work with that are returning into society. They so often feel that they can never be forgiven. YES! They can!