God's Forgiveness

God's Forgiveness "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1st John 2:15 Recently one of my readers asked me a question, "if God will forgive us for anything we do (no matter how bad it is), then why should we try to be good", as it seemed to him that all we have to do is ask God to forgive us when we do wrong. I realize that some people do say this, just as some have throughout history. But the Bible says otherwise, and we must not make a mockery of God's forgiveness and grace. One reason we should avoid sin is because God wants us to love Him, and we cannot love God, and at the same time love sin, as is evident in the scripture above. Sin is an offense to God, and when we sin we are turning our backs on God and rejecting Him. A second reason why the Bible commands us to avoid sin, is because of what it cost God to make our forgiveness possible. Yes, for us forgiveness is a free gift; when we turn to Christ in repentance and faith, God promises to forgive us by His grace. But for God, forgiveness is costly because it cost Him the life of His own dear Son. On the cross, Jesus became the final and complete sacrifice for our sins, shedding His blood for us. Don't ever scorn what Christ did for you and me, instead, turn from sin, and by faith ask Christ to come into your life today. Then make it your goal to live for Christ, who teaches us "to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Titus 2:12-13. If sin is controlling your life, today is the day to turn from it, as your tomorrow may not come. My Daily Devotional Volume Six September 15 Robert William Brock, Jr.