Hey, thanks for that introduction and thanks for joining me on today's Weekday Podcast podcast where I'm in episode three in week three and we're talking about forgiveness, the freedom of being fully forgiven. What only God can do. We we're tackling five things that only God can do. And this week we're talking about God is the only one that can completely forgive or forgive completely. So thanks so much and grab a cup of encouragement today. I once visited a maximum security prison to speak with inmate in Louisiana. And after my chat a guy approached me with tears and he said, I've been forgiven by the victim's family. I've been forgiven by the court system with a reduced sentence. But Pastor, I just can't forgive myself. I don't think I'll ever forget that. A lot of us are like that guy, living in a self made prison even after everybody else, including God has set us free and we're carrying the weights we were never meant to bear. In First John chapter one and verse nine, it says, 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. Notice the word all. Not some, not most all. The Greek word used here for cleanse means to purify completely, to eliminate all impurities. God doesn't just cover up our sins, he removes them entirely. Now this complete forgiveness produces a freedom that affects every area of our lives. Let me share a few ways in the way that works. First of all, when we're completely forgiven, we're free from condemnation. Romans 8 says, so now there's no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Now. No condemnation. Not partial or occasional. None. You know, there's a big difference between conviction and condemnation. Conviction is when the Holy Spirit points out an area that needs change. It's super specific, it needs repentance, and it draws you closer to God. And a condemnation is general. It's vague, it leads to despair and it pushes you away from God. If you're feeling condemned, that's not from God, friend. His forgiveness has eliminated the grounds for condemnation. So secondly, when we get past, you know, getting this concept of condemnation, secondly, complete forgiveness gives us freedom to approach God boldly. Hebrews 10 says, and dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's most holy place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life giving way through the curtain into the most high place. Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. A study from the University of Michigan found that people who felt unforgiven often avoided social situations and had difficult maintain had difficulties maintaining close relationships. I think that's true of all of us. That same happens spiritually. When we don't embrace God's complete and total forgiveness. We maintain a distance from God.
We pray less boldly, we worship less freely, and we serve with less confidence. But when we truly grasp the completeness of God's forgiveness, we can approach him like children running to their daddy, without hesitation, without shame and without fear. Third, complete forgiveness frees us to forgive other people. In Matthew 18, Jesus tells the parable of an unforgiving servant who was forgiven a massive debt but refused to forgive his fellow servant just one tiny time. The principle is super clear. Those who have been forgiven much should forgive much. Ephesians 4:32 puts it this way. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God, through Christ has forgiven you. The standard for our forgiveness of others is God's forgiveness of us, complete, unconditional and without reservation. So how do we live in this freedom? Well, we have to accept God's forgiveness as complete, just like he gives it. Stop trying to earn what's already been freely given, y'all. Stop punishing yourself for what's already been paid for. Micah chapter seven says, you'll trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean. That's what God does. A pastor once said, God puts our sins in the deepest ocean and then puts up a sign that says, no fishing allowed. Don't you love that? You know, another way we do that is we renew our mind with truth when memories of past failure surface and they will replace them with the truth of Scripture, remind yourself, I am forgiven, I am cleansed, and there is no condemnation. And then finally, practice forgiving others completely. This, this doesn't happen overnight. But as you experience God's complete forgiveness, you'll become more capable of extending that same grace to other people. Friends, the freedom of being fully forgiven is not just a theological concept. It's meant to be your daily reality. It changes how you see yourself, how you relate to God, and how you treat others. I'M so grateful you joined me on today's weekday podcast. Maybe today let your prayer be Heavenly Father, thank you for your complete forgiveness that brings complete freedom. Help us to walk in that freedom today. In Jesus name, Amen. Friends, thanks so much and God bless you.
