Accepting God's Forgiveness

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." - Psalm 103:12

When God forgives, He doesn't do it halfway. Throughout Scripture, He uses descriptive illustrations to help us understand how completely He removes our sins:

1. He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:11-12). How far is the east from the west? It just continues to go. God wants not just to forgive us; He wants us to understand the depth of that forgiveness.
2. He makes our "scarlet" sins as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). Every time we see a fresh snowfall, we should remind ourselves: "Oh God, You've made my conscience, my soul, my spirit, the real part of me - You've made me, through the blood of Jesus, as white as snow."
3. He forgets our sins (Isaiah 43:25). You say, "I'm sorry, Lord." He says, "I forgive you," and then a week later, the devil brings it back to your mind. You say, "Oh God, I'm so sorry for what I did," and He says, "Sorry for what?" What He chooses to forget - confessed sin, repented of sin - He truly forgets.
4. Our sins disappear like the morning dew (Isaiah 44:6, 22). You go out early in the morning, and everything is wet with dew. By mid-afternoon, it's all gone, all dried up. In the same way, God describes how He forgives our sin and cleanses us as disappearing completely.
5. He casts our sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:18-19). "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us. He will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." It's our job not to go back fishing for them! [This outline is taken from Bob Russell, Life Preservers (Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 1997), 96-97.]

The world tries to offer freedom and forgiveness but can never deliver. They try to disguise this by changing the names of things where it's no longer a sin, no longer an offense against God, but God's word is clear. When we uncover our sin before God, He will cover it. When we try to cover our sin, He will uncover it. He wants our relationship to be made right again.

Reflection Question: Which of God's illustrations of forgiveness speaks most powerfully to you? Why do you think you struggle to accept the completeness of God's forgiveness?

Lord, thank You for the vivid pictures You've given us of how completely You forgive. I am in awe that You remove my sins as far as the east is from the west, that You make them white as snow, that You choose to forget them, that they disappear like morning dew, and that You cast them into the depths of the sea. Help me to stop fishing for sins You've already forgiven. Today I choose to stand in the truth of Your complete forgiveness rather than in my feelings. Thank You for Your amazing grace. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "God's Answer for Guilt": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/x8v77x7/5-god-s-answer-for-guilt