A murderer, a thief, a habitual sin issue, a long-term addiction. How can a loving God forgive a person like that? Most Christians have asked a question similar to this at some point. Growing up, I struggled with sexual purity, as most young men do. It was a challenge for me to think rightly about the opposite sex. I would commit verses Like Job 41:1 to memory
“I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at another woman” * — Job 41:1
I had Bible studies and book studies that helped me commit to right thinking. I had accountability partners and prayer, and despite all that, I found myself in a pattern of sin, regret and resolution, over and over again.
In the midst of my failure, I often wondered if God would ever give up on me and my struggle. I would barter with God and boldly proclaim this was my last time, that it would never happen again, only to fail. After bartering with God, I felt like I was done. I made two mistakes:
- 1. Bartering with God.
- 2. Thinking God’s grace was contingent on my actions.
The truth is that God’s grace in your life has nothing to do with you and everything to do with him. You are forgiven because God is good, not because you are. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that forgiveness happens because of you. God forgives because that is who he is!
Today, I want to remind all believers that God is faithful to us, even when we are unfaithful to him!