In Touch - May 14, 2007

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2007 May 14

In Touch Daily Devotional
by Dr. Charles Stanley

May 14, 2007 – Can You Be Forgiven? – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Welcome to the In Touch Devotional.

If you feel guilty about past sins, the Scriptures have a reassuring message for you. The Corinthian believers were struggling, too. And, in First Corinthians 6:11, Paul offered to them—and us—this counsel and hope: “Such [sinners] were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

In the verses preceding these encouraging words, Paul lists some disgraceful lifestyles that continue today. Every week, pastors hear from people who ask whether the Lord can forgive them for adultery, abuse of family members, a homosexual lifestyle or other offenses. The answer is yes. He can and will forgive every sin, just as 1 John 1:9 says. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Until believers understand how the Lord forgives and removes sin, they’ll carry guilt. Promises to do better simply don’t work. Forgiveness is based only on the shed blood of Jesus Christ. He took your sin on the cross and died in your place. When you recognize that Jesus alone can make you righteous before God, you’re set free. You receive a new mindset, one guided by the Holy Spirit to focus upon the things of God instead of sinful desires.

Don’t wake up tomorrow morning to face another day of dragging your guilt around. You don’t have to. Psalm 103:12 says the Lord is waiting to take that load from you and cast it as far as the east is from the west. All you need to do is hand over your burden and receive His forgiveness.

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