Your Sins Are Forgiven
Your first seven days: Day 1.
Have you recently come to believe? Here are seven short messages, one for each day. Read one each morning, and don't rush. If you miss a day, simply carry on where you left off.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Reflection
The first thing a new believer needs to know is this: your sins are forgiven. Not because you have become perfect, but because Christ died for your sins and rose again, and God is faithful to his promise.
In these first days, guilt may come back to you. You remember what you did and think God still holds it against you. This is when you need to believe God's Word more than your feelings: “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)
Picture the sun rising from behind the mountains, then setting over the sea. East never meets west. That is how far God has removed your sins from you. And if you sin today, do not run from him. Come back to him straight away and confess it to him, because his promise in today's verse still stands.
A question to reflect on
What guilt are you still carrying, even though God has forgiven it?
Today's step
When the feeling of guilt returns today, say quietly: Lord, thank you for forgiving me. Then read today's verse again.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving my sins through the blood of Jesus Christ. Teach me to believe your promise more than my feelings, and to come back to you quickly whenever I sin. Amen.
Next Step
Tomorrow, Day 2: “A Lamp for Your Path”.
If you have a question during these first days, write to us. A pseudonym is enough. A small team from the church reads your message and replies from God's Word when they can, though the reply may take a while.
Scripture quotations are from the English Standard Version (ESV).