Experiencing God's Love and Forgiveness

It was a small thing-a driver cut you off, a classmate insulted you, your partner forgot to pick you up-but suddenly you're swearing and yelling, out of control. Or, you find yourself tempted by other actions and attitudes, like gossip or bitterness, that take your focus off God.

The word "sin" carries the idea of falling short of a target, missing the mark. When we do what we want instead of what God wants, we sin.

When old habits and attitudes creep up, don't get discouraged. You're still God's child. Sin, however, disrupts our closeness to God, our communication with him. It keeps us from experiencing his love.

And we all sin, even as Christians. That's why we all need God's forgiveness daily.

1. The basis for God's love and forgiveness
"Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18).

When Jesus died for us, he made it possible for us to have a relationship with God. His death also allows us to claim God's forgiveness daily.

"You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not

yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross" (Colossians 2:13-14).

When this passage was written, a "record" was an itemised list of crimes for which a prisoner had been convicted. It was nailed to the prison door. Once the sentence was served or the debt paid, the prisoner could use the cancelled record as proof he could never be tried for those crimes again.

Similarly, when we trust in Jesus' payment for our sins, we can never be tried for them again. We have a full pardon from God.

"He has not punished us for all our sins, nor does he deal with us as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:10-12).

According to this verse, what has God done with your sins?
For how many of your sins did Jesus die?

2. Experiencing God's love and forgiveness daily
Although you are totally forgiven, you still need to deal with your sins day-to-day to keep a close relationship with God. You need to confess your sin.

Confession-Agreeing with God that you have Sinned

"But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong" (1 John 1:9).

When God brings to mind some sin in your life, confess it. Confession includes:
o Agreeing with God that you have sinned.
o Thanking God for his forgiveness.
o Asking God to change your wrong attitudes and actions and trust that he will.
Instead of feeling guilty, turn back to God and away from your sin. This repentance allows you to experience God's love and forgiveness. It restores you to a close relationship with him.

Putting it into Practice

Right now, or tonight before you go to bed:

o Ask God to reveal any sin in your life.
o You might even find it helpful to list these on a piece of paper. Be completely honest: this is just between you and God.
o After completing your list, write over it the promise of 1 John 1:9 (written on page 64).
o Thank God for providing forgiveness through Jesus' death on the cross.
o Tear up the list and throw it away.

How often do you need to confess a sin to God?
When should you confess a sin?

Experiencing the Results

"Finally, I confessed my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone" (Psalm 32:5).

What if you still feel guilty after you have confessed your sins?

Count on God's Word, the Bible-it says you're forgiven. Don't rely on your feelings. God also encourages us to make whatever reparation we can with other people in cases of injury or hurt to others, eg. to ask for forgiveness from any individual involved in the injury or hurt.

If you don't confess sin, however, there's a good reason for feeling guilty.

In light of what we have looked at concerning guilt and forgiveness, how would you complete this statement? When I have confessed all my sins, I …

Suggestions for Further Growth

Try to spend 15 minutes or so each day alone, getting to know God better through Bible reading and prayer. Here are some suggestions:
1. If you don't already have a Bible, get one (see page 53).
2. Read Jesus' story of the young runaway who wasted his inheritance (Luke 15:11-32). What does the story illustrate about our relationship with God, about forgiveness, and our fellowship with him?
3. Read Galatians 5:16-23. Notice how allowing God to work in your life makes a difference. As you become aware of an area of your life that displeases God, deal with it according to 1 John 1:9 and then enjoy a renewed closeness with him.

Summary

By continually confessing our sins to God and trusting in his forgiveness, wecan experience his love and grow closer to him daily.

By making appropriate reparation with other people in cases of hurt or injury, eg. asking for forgiveness from any individual involved, human relationships may be restored.

God has provided you with the power to live the Christian life. The next lesson explains how you can draw upon God's power source, the Holy Spirit.

Next Steps:
	Where do we get power to live the Christian Life?
	Other Lessons for Christian Living
Related Links
	Other resources to help you grow.
	Gospel of John