FORGIVENESS

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.(1 John 1:9)
Beloved! Our God is Holy Who cannot behold sin। He desires us to walk with Him. But our sins hinder us from walking with Him. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). A young man was in his deathbed and many urged him to repent of his sins. They shared the gospel and said Jesus would forgive his sins when he repented of them. But he turned a deaf ear to them. His parents tearfully narrated the last shrieks of their son on his deathbed as, “Flames of fire are engulfing me! I am sinking into fire! Daddy, save me! But alas! He died pathetically with his sins unforgiven. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). The life that is in Jesus Christ is eternal. The Bible says He tasted death for every person in this world to give each one this eternal life (Hebrews 2:9). But we need to be forgiven of our sins to go to heaven.Many years ago a man shot dead the Prime Minister of a nation. He was arrested and sentenced to death. Before execution of the sentence, he was asked to express his last wish. He said, “I would like to see a Christian priest.” When a priest was brought to him he said, “It is true that I have killed a person and the Bible says that those who have sinned will be hurled into burning fire. But the Bible also speaks of how one of the robbers who were crucified with Jesus asked the Lord to remember him. The Lord assured him a place in Paradise and the robber received eternal life. Now please help me to receive this eternal life". He then knelt down with the priest and cried out for God's forgiveness. Then a great peace filled his heart. He further said, “Please baptize me!” The priest baptized him thus fulfilling his last wish. When it was time for him to face the gallows, the prison authorities expected him to tremble in fear. But they were surprised to find that there was no sign of any fear on his face. He faced the gallows in joy and said, “I am going to heaven!” Beloved! 1 John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” We need to receive forgiveness of our sins from God to live a holy life in this evil world.Prayer: Loving Lord Jesus,I cry out to You to forgive me of my sins. Let not my sins be a hindrance in seeking You. You have tasted death for me on the cross and by You alone I can get to Heaven. Lord, I praise and thank You that You will receive me to glory after I have lived my life on earth. I give You all glory, honour and praise.Amen.

- Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran