Divine forgiveness means, God’s forgiveness of the sins of men. You know, many a time, we see people perpetually living in sin and when you try to rebuke or correct them, they quickly put up the defense-God is a merciful God, He will always forgive.
Well, scripturally, that is true. God is indeed the merciful God. After all, without his mercies who can stand alive? Because the scriptures says in Psalms 130:3; “If thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?”
But be that as it may, the bible also makes us understand that we should not continue in sin for grace shall abound? (Romans 6:1-2). And the scripture also says in the book of Psalms 66:18; “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
Then again, the bible says in the book of Psalms 7:11; “That God is angry with the wicked every day”.
Now Here Is The Question!
With all these in mind, how can we really get God to forgive us our sins totally? So we can truly be confident that indeed our sins have been forgiven.
Now from the scriptures, it is very clear that in spite of the fact that God is a merciful God; and Jesus also says He has the power to forgive sin; divine forgiveness is not automatic. Neither is it assumed (as many do).
There are definite things you’re required to do before you’re genuinely forgiven. And at same time, there are things expected of you to do by God, after your forgiveness.
What Then Are The Requirements For Divine Forgiveness?
[SIZE=12pt]This article was originally posted at www.righteousfaith.net . Here is the reference link: http://www.righteousfaith.net/?p=154 . [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Other life-transforming sermons are available at www.righteousfaith.net[/SIZE]
Well, scripturally, that is true. God is indeed the merciful God. After all, without his mercies who can stand alive? Because the scriptures says in Psalms 130:3; “If thou Lord shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?”
But be that as it may, the bible also makes us understand that we should not continue in sin for grace shall abound? (Romans 6:1-2). And the scripture also says in the book of Psalms 66:18; “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
Then again, the bible says in the book of Psalms 7:11; “That God is angry with the wicked every day”.
Now Here Is The Question!
With all these in mind, how can we really get God to forgive us our sins totally? So we can truly be confident that indeed our sins have been forgiven.
Now from the scriptures, it is very clear that in spite of the fact that God is a merciful God; and Jesus also says He has the power to forgive sin; divine forgiveness is not automatic. Neither is it assumed (as many do).
There are definite things you’re required to do before you’re genuinely forgiven. And at same time, there are things expected of you to do by God, after your forgiveness.
What Then Are The Requirements For Divine Forgiveness?
- Total Repentance (Acts 2:38; Luke 15:7-10; Acts 5:30-31). For you to actualize the provision of genuine forgiveness made by God, the first thing you must of a necessity do, is to confess your sin and totally repent of the act or sin you know you’ve committed. And you must do that from your innermost heart.
That is to say, you genuinely acknowledge what you’ve done, and remorse about it, instead of putting up any excuse to justify yourself before God. You just own up and accept to change and turn away from such acts by the help of God.
Because you cannot change yourself, you need God to help you change. And He is always ready to help you change, if you are ready and resolute.
Scriptural examples of true repentance Include: Ahab (1Kings21:20-24; 21:27-29) Josiah (2 Kings 22:10-11; 17-19) and Peter (Matthew 26:75). Failure to repent before asking God for forgiveness, is akin to a child, whom his dad caught stealing from the cooking pot. And as the father stared at him with disappointment, he says; ‘Dad, I’m sorry’- while still putting the meat in his mouth. This is what many people do to God. They come to God asking for forgiveness, while they still continue with what they are asking for forgiveness over.
- Ask God For Forgiveness- Luke 18:10-14.After genuine confession and repentance from your heart, ask God for forgiveness. Don’t assume forgiveness. Consciously and heartily ask for it.
- Believe and Trust God That He Has Forgiven You-Mark 11:24-25. After Confessing, repenting and asking for forgiveness from God, you must believe that He has forgiven you. And at the same time, you must also forgive yourself and put the guilt of the sin behind you.
And if the devil come to use it against you, rebuke him and declare boldly to him, that Christ has already forgiven you. You must not allow the devil to take undue advantage of the sin in which you’ve repented of and God has also forgiven you to torment your faith. If you do, it is another sin-which is doubt and unbelief-Romans 14:23.
- Make Out Plan to Avoid a Repeat-Philippians 2:12. To perfect your forgiveness and to truly prove to God that you’ve repented of that particular sin, you must make out- both spiritual and physical plans- not to repeat that sin again. That is, you plan to be praying and fasting concerning the issue. Then you physically try to avoid what may lead to its occurrence again. Because it’s your responsibility to fight sin. As God has already made all the provisions for you to overcome sin (Romans 1:8; Romans 5:20).
And finally, when you receive divine forgiveness, the Bible says, your heavens are opened for supernatural and heavenly blessings-Romans 4:6-8.
[SIZE=12pt]This article was originally posted at www.righteousfaith.net . Here is the reference link: http://www.righteousfaith.net/?p=154 . [/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]Other life-transforming sermons are available at www.righteousfaith.net[/SIZE]
