John 8:36 | Forgiven

In our break-neck-pace world, we often get caught up in striving for our faith. I talk about this seemingly every week in this devotional, but it is such a prevalent distraction to abiding that I feel the urgency to address it.

When we come to the Lord at the end of our lives, will we stand on our accomplishments? No! We will only stand in the forgiveness that comes from the blood of Christ shed on the cross for us.

Are you living in forgiveness?

I know that you most likely prayed a prayer at one point in your faith journey accepting God’s forgiveness for your sins. I’m sure that was an incredible and life-changing encounter. Still, we can’t leave God’s forgiveness only in our history! As Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

You can walk in mercy and forgiveness today—because you’ll need it.

We will all need more of God’s forgiveness and grace to live in freedom. While all the forgiveness and mercy the entire history of humanity needed was accomplished on the cross, we can choose to live in that forgiveness or not. When we forget God’s goodness, we forget who he is and who we are. Psalm 103:2-3 ESV says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.”

You are invited to stand in God’s forgiveness anew this morning. Receive the grace that only comes from God. Step back into that place of wonder and freedom.

When you receive God’s forgiveness, you are empowered to forgive others. So be sure to spend some time today forgiving those who have offended you. Allow the Holy Spirit to walk you through those tough emotions.

John 8:36 ESV says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Forgiveness makes us free.

Amen.

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