Finding Freedom in God’s Grace By Dr. Rebecca Amos

The Gift of Forgiveness

You may find it difficult to acknowledge that your sins and shortcomings have been forgiven. You may have carried the weight of your sins for far too long, believing that you’re unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness. Guilt and shame can become a heavy burden, preventing you from fully experiencing the joy and freedom that come with being a child of God. If that’s you, it’s time to acknowledge the truth: in Christ, you are forgiven.

When God speaks, He means what He says and never makes a mistake. The Bible makes it clear.

“He appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin.”

John 3:5

This powerful verse reminds us that Jesus, who is sinless, came to Earth with the specific objective of living a sin-free life and dying a horrific death . . . all to remove our sins.

You may stumble and fall short of God’s perfect standard, but that doesn’t define you—Jesus does that. Remember, acknowledging your sins and accepting God’s forgiveness is a process that requires humility and faith, and this often takes time. It means letting go of the notion that you can earn your way into God’s good graces through your efforts.

Instead, you must recognize that salvation is freely given to those who believe in Jesus Christ.

When you confess your sins and repent, you open the door for God’s transformative power to work in your life. He promises to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and to remember your sins no more. He cleanses you and gives you a fresh start.

This doesn’t mean that you’ll never sin again; of course, there will be moments as you traverse the challenges of academic life when you fall short and need to return to the foot of the cross. But it does mean that you can live with the assurance that the blood of Jesus covers your sins.

As Corrie ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor and Christian author, once said, “God takes our sins—the past, present, and future—and dumps them in the sea and puts up a sign that says NO FISHING ALLOWED.” So, put your fishing pole away and embrace God’s mercy and grace.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, by the riches of God’s grace.“

Ephesians 1:7

Please take a few moments to meditate on the verse above, and then thank God for His incredible gift of forgiveness.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible sacrifice that offers me forgiveness and freedom. Help me to embrace the gift of Your gracefully and to accept Your love and forgiveness without reservation. May I always remember that no matter how far I stray, Your love is steadfast, and Your arms are always open to welcome me home. In Jesus’s name. Amen!”

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Rebecca Amos is a doctor with decades of experience in hospitals and as a partner in general practice near Oxford in the UK. Her writing extends her empathy and love for humanity. This excerpt from her devotional Deep Roots Strong Faith. This devotional is an intimate journey into the heart of faith, written by someone who lives it daily.