That God offers forgiveness for free is a fact that we believe, but it’s one that can be hard for people to accept. The reality of our sinfulness complicates this for us in a couple of a ways. Some of us may think that we are too bad to deserve God’s forgiveness. Now on one level, this is right: Of course, we don’t deserve God’s forgiveness; that’s why it’s grace. But on another level, this is wrong because we try to punish and condemn ourselves with guilt thinking we might appease the wrath that we know we deserve. This is a mockery of God’s forgiveness and mercy. On the opposite extreme, some of us think that we are too good to need forgiveness. This stems from an inflated view of our own self-righteousness. We compare ourselves to tax collectors and sinners and miss the fact that Jesus Christ came to call sinners to repentance. This amounts to a gospel denial, because it denies that the core gospel truth of human sinfulness applies to us personally. We must fight both of these unbiblical attitudes toward God’s forgiveness so that we might accept the free offer of imputed righteousness through Jesus Christ. May God make us aware of our sinfulness and His grace in forgiveness so that His glory might be magnified in our salvation. – Pastor Rory Martin
Sunday at Liberty
- BTH: Russ Frederick–Ecclesiology–Priesthood vs Intercession
- AM: Pastor Nate–Matthew 9:1-13–The Messiah’s Authoritative Forgiveness (sermon notes)
- PM: Pastor Rory–John 10:1-10–Jesus Is the Door
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