I believe in…the forgiveness of sins
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:19
Reconciled
Do you ever feel like the whole world is against you? No matter where you turn, you find opposition, and where there is no active opposition, often there is apathy and ignorance. You think you know people, and then they turn against you. Nothing goes right for very long. On most days, many things go wrong.
What is your reaction when that happens? Frustration? Anger?
You may feel like the whole world is against you some days, but God has the right to feel like that every day. No matter where he turns, he finds opposition, and where there is no active opposition, there is apathy and ignorance. Even when people claim to know him, they end up with mixed motives and deeds that fall short of what God expects. Nothing goes right for very long. On most days, many things go wrong.
What is God’s reaction when that happens? It’s not frustration and anger.
Instead, God’s reaction was to send his Son, Jesus, into the world to be the Savior. Jesus is not the Savior of only a few people. He is the Savior of the world. God does not count the sins of all people against them because of the perfect life and innocent suffering and death of Jesus. He does not count your sins against you.
That is the message of reconciliation. God is not your enemy, even though he could easily be disappointed by your life. He is your Savior, and he is there for you even when the whole world seems to be against you. Trust in his word that declares your full and free forgiveness.