Forgiveness of Sins

Matthew 26:28 (ESV)

For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

“I have forgiven the killers and have no bitterness...”

These were the famous words of Mrs. Gladys Staines, the widow of an Australian missionary, Graham Staines as recorded on the front page of the country’s top newspapers. On January 22, 1999, Graham Staines and his two sons were burnt alive while they were sleeping in a van at Manoharpur, Odisha.

How could she forgive the people who mercilessly killed her family?

“God in Christ has forgiven me and expects His followers to do the same.” Was her reply.

Matthew 26:28 – “...for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

The blood of Jesus was literally poured out on the Cross so that our sins might be forgiven. The Bible says that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins (Hebrew 9:22). In the Old Testament Law, animals were sacrificed to cover sins. Jesus is the perfect Lamb of God, who does not cover our sins but takes them away. (John 1:29)

Micah 7:18-19 (GNB) – “There is no other God like you, O Lord, you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love. You will be merciful to us once again. You will trample our sins underfoot and send them to the bottom of the sea!”.

One of the most beautiful things about God’s nature is the way He forgives. He does it so completely and in full. Every wrong thing that we have ever done, everything that could make us feel guilty, every accusation that the enemy could ever bring against us – God hurls it into the depths of the sea!

As people who have received his lavish forgiveness, God expects us to give the same away.

  

Dear Lord, thanks You for loving us. Show us today if we are carrying any offense or hurts towards others. Help us to forgive people as You have forgiven us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.