(1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

‘You don’t know the things that I have done. There is no way God will forgive me.’ Has this been your mind-set, to think that you are so bad that a loving, compassionate, and merciful God will not forgive you for the things that you have done?

Well, the Word of God makes it perfectly clear that “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It is the finished work of Christ on the Cross at Mount Calvary that we are able to “…come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus Christ took upon Himself the sins of you and I, that we may be reconciled to God:

(Romans 5:8-10) “But God (I love these two words) commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  (9)  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  (10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

(Isaiah 53:5) “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (See Isaiah 53:1-11.)

There are two great examples in Scripture of two men who felt that they did not deserve God’s mercy and His forgiveness: Paul and David. Paul, who was named Saul, went about killing Christians. It was on the road to Damascus, with a letter of authority from the High Priest that whomever he found (being man or woman) bring them bound to Jerusalem for punishment. And it was on this Damascus Road that Paul (Saul) met Jesus; and this changed his life forever. This is his testimony:

(1 Timothy 1:12-16) “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; (13) Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  (14)  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  (15)  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  (16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern (example) to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”

Now, if God would have mercy on a man such as Paul, who was killing and persecuting His people – surely He will forgive whatever it is that we have done. David, a man after God’s own heart, had a man killed in battle, so he could have his wife. But God forgave David, who wrote one of the most beautiful Psalms of repentance. (See II Samuel 11:1 – 12:23; Psalm 57.)

We have such a loving God and an awesome heavenly Father whose will is that not any should perish, but that all come to repentance (II Peter 3:9).

(Micah 7:18-19) “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. (19) He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”

Our God is ready to pardon our sins; and not only so He will, but He will remember them no more:

(Isaiah 43:25) “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”

(Psalms 103:12) “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

Jesus Christ bridged the gap between God and man, that whosoever will, can come to God and receive forgiveness. Forgiveness and reconciliation are there for you, so the only one holding you back from receiving it is you!