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by Kevin Pauley
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt. - Psalm 51:7-9 HCSB
Jesus has extended a loving invitation to the weary and the sin-burdened.[1] You may say, “But I have sexually sinned so much!” He is fully able to forgive even multiple sexual sins. May I remind you that Jesus forgave the penitent woman who had many sins burdening her soul?[2] Wasn’t the adulterous Samaritan woman saved and didn’t she receive living water?[3]
Jesus even forgave the murderer on the cross. This is a beautiful example of one saved only by grace. This man could do no good works. He could not be baptized. He could join no church. The only things he did were acknowledge his sin, confess them, repent of them, seek God’s forgiveness and publicly acknowledge Jesus’ authority. This was enough to receive forgiveness and a place in Paradise.[4]
Even Peter, who denied Jesus three times, was forgiven and reinstated in his ministry.[5] In fact, God forgives and saves all kinds of sinners no matter how bad they are; He changes them.
Paul, a forgiven mass murderer and persecutor of the Church,[6] described the members of the Corinthian church as sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunkards, revilers and swindlers and warned that those who remained in these sins will not inherit God’s kingdom. How do I know the Corinthians were these kind of people? Because after the list of sins, Paul said, “Some of you were like this.” But praise God they were and we can be washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of our God.[7]
Now lest you think that I am teaching “Sin more so that grace may abound more”, may I echo Paul’s shocked reply and say, “God forbid!”[8] It’s important to note that Peter’s sin took place over the course of a couple of hours one night. It was not habitual. Yet, he immediately acknowledged his sin, showed tremendous remorse, was willing to step aside from ministry, was willing to take whatever length of time it took to make restitution and repeatedly demonstrated a humble and contrite spirit. He did not expect to be reinstated. He did not feel as though simply saying “sorry” was enough. Those with those expectations have not demonstrated true contrition yet.
Christians who sin must repent, confess their sins and pray in faith for forgiveness. Further, they must also maintain a forgiving spirit towards others if they expect to be forgiven.[9]
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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