In Him we have . . . the forgiveness of sins . . . —Ephesians 1:7
Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace. The cost to God was the Cross of Christ. To forgive sin, while remaining a holy God, this price had to be paid. Never accept a view of the fatherhood of God if it blots out the atonement. The revealed truth of God is that without the atonement He cannot forgive— He would contradict His nature if He did. The only way we can be forgiven is by being brought back to God through the atonement of the Cross. God’s forgiveness is possible only in the supernatural realm.
Compared with the miracle of the forgiveness of sin, the experience of sanctification is small. Sanctification is simply the wonderful expression or evidence of the forgiveness of sins in a human life. But the thing that awakens the deepest fountain of gratitude in a human being is that God has forgiven his sin. Paul never got away from this. Once you realize all that it cost God to forgive you, you will be held as in a vise, constrained by the love of God.
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November 20 2012
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, I do not understand the depths of your grace and mercy. When I stray and willfully disobey, You are right there to catch me, love and comfort me just when and as I need it. Your forgiveness, mercy and grace is something I could not and do not earn. And You show me that those around me that need my forgiveness may not deserve it either, but that is not the question or point.
And God says…”Indeed it is not the point. The point is You need to forgive and extend love, mercy and grace, because it will make you whole. Just as My love, mercy and grace makes you whole. The very definition of life and life more abundantly begins with unconditional love, the very extension of Jesus. Be connected to Jesus and observe His love and forgiveness for you and through you……and look back to see how this has made your life much more abundant.”