Last week we spoke about sin and this week we will offer a few thoughts on forgiveness. Let's first point out that forgiveness is not a denial of a deed, but a removing of the penalty of sin. When a person is forgiven, it is not the case that his past actions really never occurred. They did occur. Furthermore, the sins in which we once participated may have lasting consequences. (We may still have to go to jail, not get our job back, or be able to regain our family. Some things may be lest to us.) But we can rest assured that though we may bear the scar of sin for life, we do not have to bear the penalty of sin.

We should not equate the physical suffering brought on by our sin with our spiritual relationship with God. It just may be that some will think that God never has really forgiven them because they are still suffering from some lasting consequence of their sin. Because we may have a strong hatred for our past sins, we may want all things to be as if we never committed the sins, but this cannot be. Forgiveness does not erase the past and deny that the action ever took place. Forgiveness admits the sin and then removes the penalty for the sin. We can be bathed in the comforting truth that we can be as clean and pure, having our sins forgiven, with a clean heart, as one who has never sinned. We can hold our heads high and honestly say, "I am not like that any more!" This is not a denial that we were once a sinner, but a denial that we still serve sin.

With that said, have you considered the sin in your life? Here is a short list of serious questions about sin and serious answers taken directly from Scripture:

1. Am I accountable to God? "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 "For the wages of sin is death..." Romans 6:23

2. Does God know all about me? "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." Hebrews 4:13

3. Will God punish sin? "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

4. Will I perish if I don't obey God? "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

5. How can I escape? "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

6. 6. Is He willing to save me? "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 1 Timothy 1:15

If the Lord should come today, would you be ready? Eric