Can I be accepted and forgiven?

Life Questions, Chapter 6

Key Points

  1. No one is perfect - all have sinned and are separated from God.
  2. We all need forgiveness
  3. The basis for forgiveness is not what we do (i.e. good works), but receiving what Jesus has done for us
  4. Forgiveness is s gift, but must be received.
  5. The result is that we are no longer condemned but have peace with God

Addition Resources:

How Good is Good Enough by Andy Stanley

Introduction

The 6th and final chapter of Life Questions simply asks: Can I be forgiven and accepted? If Jesus can reach out to a Samaritan woman or the thief on the cross, he can accept you. If he can invite fishermen, tax collectors, prostitutes and thieves to join him in paradise, he has a place for you. But we must understand a few basic tenets:

  1. None of us is perfect. We have all sinned and have fallen short of the glory of our living God.
  2. We all need His forgiveness. If we forgive those who sin against us, Jesus will forgive us our sins as well. Remember, the basis of forgiveness is not found in what we do, but rather in receiving what Jesus has done for us. Perhaps, the greatest example of forgiveness is chronicled in the Gospel of Luke where a dying Jesus says, “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.”
  3. Forgiveness is a gift that not only must be offered by God, but it must be received by us. And we receive God’s forgiveness by trusting in Christ.
  4. The result is that we are no longer condemned, but have peace with God.

Life’s Questions: you’ve heard most of them before. But perhaps not with God’s perspective added. By accepting this challenge, you are demonstrating your desire to live a life filled with love for others, following the examples of Christ. Does that sound relevant to you? If your answer is YES, then you have just answered the question as to whether the Bible is relevant. By leading your fellow man down the narrow path, you are delighting our Savior.

As Hebrews 13:16 says, “Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.” Today more than ever before, men’s heads are filled with voices telling us how to be real men. And most of these messages give us conflicting signals to be sure. So where do we go for the answers? It’s up to you to dig deep into your soul and into God’s Word to find the man God wants you to be. He’s there. You just need to seek him with your whole heart. I think you’ll find Operation Timothy one of the most powerful tools for accomplishing that task.