© 19 Colin Melbourne
Why are your sins forgiven you?
I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
1 Jn. 2:12 KJV
Neither Tears Nor Sorrow
Some Christians harbour the sentiment that God has forgiven them because they were sorry for their sins, and turned from them to The LORD Jesus Christ.
Assuredly that is a good thing to do, godly sorrow, and genuine repentance from sin are essential in every body’s walk with God. But they are not the reason God forgives your sin.
For His Name
The reason Father God forgives your sin is for His Name’s sake.
Notice, it’s not because of your reaction, your response, to His mercy, it is because of His Name’s sake.
Father forgives us because of His Name, He does so for the sake of His Name.
Comprehend that.
He Cannot Deny Himself
God is Love, He is Merciful, He is The Saviour, The Redeemer.
So of course, to honour His own Name, He forgives those who believe on Him.
How could He call Himself Our Redeemer if He did not redeem and forgive the sins of His faithful children?
Believing On Christ
Your repentance from unbelief in Him, in His Name, in The LORD Jesus Christ, brings you into covenant relationship with Almighty God.
That is the only requirement to participate in the mercy God has provided.
But He doesn’t do it because of your repentance and faith: He does it because of His Name’s sake.
He is Mercy.
He is Good.
He is Salvation.
Our response to Him, to His nature, kindness and love, is to obey and turn from all sin, not just the sin of unbelief in Him as LORD.
This response comes after we have been forgiven, not to get forgiveness.
When you have this revelation it will lift any lingering burden from your shoulders.
You cannot earn forgiveness, you can never deserve mercy; realise that Father saves you for the sake of His Name, not due to your efforts.
This truth is repugnant to the religious, but wonderful news to sinner and saints’ ears.
© 19 Colin Melbourne