The 28 Day Forgiveness Challenge — Day 1
My friend, Jim, had a problem. One particular sin kept him in bondage and he couldn’t shake it. As a result, he was 95% sure he was forgiven, but there was 5% of doubt that kept him awake at night.
Maybe that’s the case for you. It was in my life. My prayers were like a broken record. “Lord I did it again. Please forgive me, and I promise I will do better tomorrow.” It was the same with Jim. He prayed. He read his Bible. He went to church. He promised God he would do better and try harder, but he never felt forgiven.
Jim’s five percent of uncertainty was now occupying one hundred percent of his thinking. The security and assurance he once knew gave way to fear and anxiety.
Jim’s story is not unique. His doubts and fears are shared by Christians everywhere. We know Christ died on our behalf, but we are not sure what this means to us on a personal level. As a result, we live in fear of God’s punishment.
A life filled with confusion and doubts and fear is not God’s plan for you. He wants to clear away these negative emotions in your life. Love is His tool.
He displayed His love for you at the cross. Paul explains, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). If you want to know what God thinks about you, take a fresh look at the cross. Jesus’ work there brings forgiveness and assurance to your heart.
The place to start to solve the 95/5 problem is the cross. That all important question — “Will God forgive my sin?” — is answered in the death of Jesus Christ.
Forgiveness Challenge #1 – Identify where you stand concerning the forgiveness of your sins. Do you know that all of your sins have been forgiven? Or, are you 95% sure, 80% sure of 50% sure your sins have been forgiven? If you have doubts, are you willing today to take fresh look at Christ’s finished work on the cross?
Study Colossians 2:13 and insert your name every place it says your, you, or all.
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all of our sins….(Colossians 2:13).
awesome to hear from you and love this post. That was me, years ago, back in the 1990’s, when i was first introduced to PTP, ministries, and it did not happen over night, this understanding that we are whether one sins or not are forgiven, and many of us are caught up in do not sin or else, and so we try hard not to sin, only to find us sinning all the more. then as I grew and took on I am forgiven, thinking why then I will quit this thought life of lust of the world. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. So over the years now as I grtow daily in God’s amazing love and mercy, I learn to stand in humility, always needing God. For if I get a little, hey I got it, I find I don’t, a strasight betwixt, Too guilty, or too proud, both show I know nothing, as Paul wrote in 2 Cor 12, truth is revealed if God permit. Thank you Bob for this post, it helps to stay in the middle of the teeter-totter with God, even keel, and see my past, present and future in safety is only in the middle, no ups and no downs, no competitions, no better than anyone else. And this is a heavy learning process for many, maybe all, I just know it was and is for me as I am stiull growing in Grace
Hey Bob.If in regard to and defining Paul’s Gospel of Grace,he never brings up the word “sin”,neither in Romans 8:2(through Christ Jesus the law of Spirit of life set me free…),or in Galations 5:1(It is for freedom that Christ has set us free),or in Colossians 2:3(God made you alive with Christ),then why do we keep bringing “that word” up in discussians, debates and bar room brawls?
Amen! It was the final understanding of the finality of the Cross that finally set me free. I used to confess literally outloud every night before bed, and once I understood that it is finished, He has totally silenced my heart immediately. Whoa..He has done it! Thank you Jesus…:) This was in the mid 2000’s…..