THE POWER TO FORGIVE

 “Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,” (Luke 17:3, ESV)

“… forgive, and you will be forgiven;” (Luke 6:37, ESV)

Forgiveness is one of those things that concern every human being. Not only do we all stand in need of it from God, but in our relationship with one another, we also are either giving forgiveness or receiving it.

In a nutshell, the thrust of what I am about to share with you is this: “You have the power to forgive”. As a citizen of the Kingdom of God, you have been commanded to forgive. And in order that you are able to do this, the King has given you the grace to comprehensively obey His command.

BY THE BLOOD

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…” (Hebrews 10:19-20, NIV)

“Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.” (Hebrews 4:16, NET)

No one can “confidently approach the throne of grace” (“the Most Holy Place”) on the merit of their own achievement or self-righteousness. We can only approach God and enter in His presence through Christ on the grounds of His atoning sacrifice.

It’s on the merit of the spotless life which Christ lived and the sacrificial death He died that anyone who seeks a relationship with God today can stand without any sense of guilt or condemnation. That is, to stand behind the blood of Jesus that speaks better things – the blood that speaks forgiveness!