Grace to You :: esp Unleashing God's Truth, One Verse at a Time

Drawing Near

In Christ we have "the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of [God's] grace, which
He lavished upon us" (Eph. 1:7-8).

In Christ we have infinite forgiveness for every sin—past, present, and future.

On Israel's Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) the high priest selected two goats. One was sacrificed;
the other set free. Before releasing the second goat, the high priest symbolically placed the sins of
the people on it by laying his hands on its head. This "scapegoat" was then taken a great distance
from camp and released—never to return again (Lev. 16:7-10).

The Greek word translated "forgiveness" in Ephesians 1:7 means "to send away." It speaks of
cancelling a debt or granting a pardon. Like the scapegoat, Christ carried away our sins on the cross.

In Christ, God cancelled your debt and pardoned your transgressions, and He did so "according to
the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon [you]" (v. 8). That means you have infinite
forgiveness because God's grace is infinite. You cannot sin beyond God's grace because where sin
abounds, grace super-abounds (Rom. 5:20).

God delights in lavishing His grace upon you. Such grace is overflowing and cannot be contained.
You are forgiven for every sin—past, present, and future. You will never be condemned by God or
separated from Him (Rom. 8:1-2, 31-39). Even when you fail, God doesn't hold your sins against
you. Christ bore them all so that you might know the joy and peace that freedom from sin and guilt
brings.

Let the reality of God's grace fill your heart with joy and assurance. Let the responsibility of glorifying
Him fill you with awe and reverence. Let this day be a sacrifice of praise and service to Him.

Suggestions for Prayer

-Thank God for His infinite grace and forgiveness.

-Look for opportunities to extend forgiveness to others.

For Further Study

Read Matthew 18:21-35.

-What characteristic marked the wicked slave?

-What was the king's response to the wicked slave's actions?
-What point was Jesus making? How does it apply to you?
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