You’re Forgiven. Full Stop.
Sunday’s Verse:
From Romans 8:1 ESV
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
We continue our devotional theme, “The Greatest Mystery: Uncovering Forgiveness.” Today, our theme confronts the excuses we make to avoid forgiving ourselves.
It’s easy for us to say we’ve sinned before God. It’s harder for us to act like we’ve been forgiven. We let little whispers speak lies to our hearts: I shouldn’t feel this good. I don’t deserve forgiveness. Not until I feel worse will I accept Jesus’ grace.
Excuses, my friends. Those are just excuses in the guise of humility. When we believe these lies, we’re taking our eyes off of Christ and placing them back on us. Forgiveness in Lutheran theology is not based on how sorry we are or how long we kick ourselves around the sack. Forgiveness is completely based on Jesus.
When Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” there were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Your sin didn’t get paid for. It was nailed to the cross, at full price, paid by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To punish yourself for your sin is to quarrel with God’s judgment.
Sin is not okay. But what Jesus did on the cross was enough to make up for it. The blood of Christ is enough. Even when you feel like your contrition isn’t enough.
So the next time you want to make excuses—tell yourself you have to earn peace with God or wait until you feel better to enjoy Jesus—STOP. You’re forgiven. Full stop.
Faith says nothing more than Amen.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord God, grant me the courage to accept Your forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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