How to KNOW God’s Forgiveness

Have you ever struggled with the assurance of being forgiven by God? Many of us know in our minds we are forgiven, but we tussle in our hearts if that is really true. If you’re like me, you’ve sincerely asked God to forgive you and then sinned again and repeat. Does God have a register where He keeps count of how many times we’ve asked for forgiveness? Is there a limit to His forgiveness?

These are the questions that confirm our feelings of not being forgiven. One major problem is that we tend to assume that God acts like humans—you can be forgiven once—maybe twice for the same infraction, but three times? Or no, we’re done…

How do we get to the place of completely and freely receiving God’s forgiveness of our sins? Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we can KNOW God’s forgiveness…

K – Keep talking to God about our struggles.
“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:27)

When I talk to God about my struggles—He helps me dig deep to find out why I keep doing the things I know I should not be doing. The Lord helps us get to the root of our situation and not just pluck it from the surface. This exercise or spiritual discipline of talking to the Lord helps us accept His forgiveness and move on.

N – Never give up reading and meditating on His word.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

If we don’t read about God’s forgiveness, it’s more difficult for us to receive it. Not only reading specifically about how He forgives us—but how He forgives in general since the beginning of time. He loves us and His word (the Bible) helps us to know and experience His love.

O – Obey God’s command that we forgive one another.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

Remember Peter’s question to Jesus about how many times we should forgive others? Peter probably thought he was being generous with his number of seven times. Really think about that—if someone offended you seven times for the same thing, wouldn’t seven seem like enough? However, Jesus responded, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22)
This is important to understand as Jesus shared a parable about the man who owed a king millions of dollars and was forgiven. However, when it was his turn to forgive for pennies on the dollar—he didn’t do it. God is way above us in handling forgiveness—He forgives us freely and completely every single time.

W – Wait on God’s assurance and presence over our life.
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14)

The Lord doesn’t erase our memories of past failings, but He does take away the sting of our regrets. We can remember without feeling the pain over and over again. Eventually it will wear off and we will know His grace like never before. His grace or unmerited favor is why we can begin each and every day with a clean slate. It’s not earned nor deserved but freely given out of His love for us.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I want to know and receive Your forgiveness for my sins. I’m not worthy, but You already know that and still extend the grace of forgiveness. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In His Service,

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