The Grace of Forgiving (Part II)

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (I Jn. 1:8-10) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Rom. 3:23)

In all honesty I say that we have too many folks strutting around like peacocks under the umbrella of Christianity as if they are the very embodiment of sinless perfection. It is time for all of us to return to the mirror of God’s Holy Word and see ourselves as God sees us! If we are truthful of what we see, we would cry out with Job: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6) Job beheld what we all desperately need to see – the grotesqueness of this sinful flesh through the eyes of a holy God. When Apostle Paul took stock of it, he wrote: “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom. 7:24)

This revelation comes by the graciousness and mercy of God. It is good to be acquainted with the facts of the true nature of the flesh. Too little attention is given to the two natures of every believer. Few teachers teach it, and few preachers preach it. As a result, many cower down under the condemnation of the flesh, while others strut in their pompous perfection. Both natures have their balance in the teachings of the Scriptures. Paul acknowledges the two natures and the pursuing battle every believer must fight. Yes, the flesh is sin, but the spirit is righteousness in the blood of Christ.

Paul wrote: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1) In Christ Jesus there is no condemnation, that is, all of our sins are forgiven. God through Jesus has forgiven us; even when we sin after being saved we have the privilege of going to the heavenly Father, and “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” When God forgives there is no condemnation! If God forgives us, is it not reasonable that we should forgive ourselves by His grace? Failure to forgive self is open rebellion against God’s forgiveness!