Awesome Truth About Our Sins and God’s Love

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The dictionary defines sin as deliberate disobedience to the known will of God.

However, that definition only provides a partial truth. If we believe that only deliberate disobedience is sin, it’s easy for us to think of ourselves as being pretty good people. We can start patting ourselves on the back, claiming that we are self-righteous.

Unlike the dictionary, the Bible defines sin as anything that falls short of God’s glory. It’s simply “missing the mark” living according to God’s will.

James wrote…

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

The person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.

James 4:17 and James 2:10

And based on God’s definition of sin, the Spirit inspired Paul to write…

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

Romans 3:23

So, no matter how hard you and I try, we sinners, and the Spirit inspired Paul to write that the punishment for sin is death…

The wages of sin [failing to keep God’s will perfectly] is death, but…

Romans 6:23

Knowing that truth, many of us have things from the past that continue to arouse feelings of guilt and shame. We recall foolish words, actions, and decisions that left us dealing with lasting consequences. And oh, how the enemy loves to revive those memories.

But…

We have a truth from God’s Word that is powerful enough to give us lasting peace.

When you and I confess (admit we missed the mark) and repent (ask for forgiveness through Jesus gracious sacrifice), God forgives us completely! Not grudgingly. Not holding onto it so He can remind us later. But unconditionally, with perfect, unfailing love.

Paul also wrote…

People are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God, who forgives sinners.

Romans 4:5

And David wrote…

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 sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

Psalm 103:11–12

I did an online search asking, “How far is the east from the west?” And got the following answer…

The east is infinitely far from the west, as they are directions that continue indefinitely without a definitive endpoint, unlike north and south, which have specific poles.

Pastor John Snyder says it this way in his book, Your 100 Day Prayer – the Transforming Power of Actively Waiting on God:

Think about it. The God who decrees that human sin deserves and receives death is the same God who also declares that He is more willing and ready to wipe it all out and bury it in the very depths of the sea than we are to admit it. He holds no grudges… God, who has every right to remind us of our past failures, says it’s all gone and forgotten. He erases and blots out every last trace of stain forever. Why? Just because that’s the way He is.

That’s how very much He loves us!

Let’s pray…

A Prayer Confessing My Sins
and Thanking God for His Love

Father, I come to You with a humble heart, in the precious name of Jesus. I am so sorry for my stubborn pride and for being self-focused. That I would ever overlook or excuse my failures to fully trust and obey You, brings me to my knees.

I am sorry for the times I’ve questioned Your commands and listened to the world’s permissions and excuses. I’m sorry for failing to care for others as You desire, for the time I’ve walked past the “least of these” expecting someone else to help. 

I’m sorry for the times I’ve claimed to be a follower of Jesus, but spoken or acted like I didn’t know Him.

I’m sorry for those moments when I’ve failed to express the truth. When I’ve distorted it for personal gain or reacted with hurtful words in frustration or anger.

Forgive me for meddling in things that were none of my business, for gossip shared as prayer requests, and for giving criticism before offering compassion.

I’m sorry for comparing my life to the lives of others and for envying the blessings they’ve received, while failing to express gratitude for my own.

Father, I could go on and on. My list of ways I’ve fallen short of Your will is long. I humbly ask for Your forgiveness through the gracious gift of my Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Thank you for telling me that I am completely loved and forgiven, that my sins are removed as far as the east is from the west.

Your grace, mercy, and love overwhelm me. I humbly offer myself to You. I love You and pray that I might have all I need to show You through obedient faith. I ask it all in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Our Sins and God’s Love – Something to Think About

Yes, you and I are sinners, but God’s love is greater than our sin.

We have the following promise from the Apostle John…

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

1 John 1:8–9

May we never hesitate to confess our sins, remembering with a thankful heart that we have a Father who delights in forgiving His children.

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