“But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.” – Ezekiel 18:21
Even in the darkest days of the Old Testament times in Israel, God offered forgiveness and grace. People mistakenly imagine the Old Testament to be a record of God’s wrath but it’s actually a record of His long-suffering patience and grace toward those hostile to Him. Even though all wickedness and sin is rebellion against His authority over creation, God still desires to forgive the rebel and the sinner. He made us in His image and He would far prefer to be reconciled to us than to have to give us the just consequences of our vile actions.
This is made abundantly clear through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. God sent His Son, Jesus, into our world to do the work for ours sins to be forgiven and God’s perfect justice to be fulfilled. Jesus lived a life without sin and then sacrificed Himself on a cross so that our debt of sin would be paid. By that work on the cross, God’s grace is now freely available to everyone who repents of their sins and believes in Jesus as Lord. Jesus died and rose from the dead so that repentant sinners who trust in Him will receive forgiveness and eternal life.
If you’re struggling with feelings of guilt or a belief that God can’t forgive you, please know that He absolutely can and will forgive you! Believe in Lord Jesus and ask God to forgive your sins, your mistakes, and your guilt and He will. With complete certainty, God will wipe your slate clean in His eyes. He will never think about your past sins again. He will welcome you into His family and love you as His child. He will seal you with His Holy Spirit and Jesus will unite with you. #FollowJesus