Part 5 - CLEANSING

"Forgive us our sins..."

"This is My blood, which seals the covenant between God and His people.  It is poured out to forgive the sins of many." Matt. 26:28

Why do I need forgiveness?

• Sin - to miss the mark

• To trespass is to cross the line and not know it

• To transgress is to cross the line and know it

Any way you word it:

It makes us guilty both as a fact and a feeling and that is a debt you owe to God!

Know the difference between:

• Harmful Guilt: Condemnation - drives us from God

• Helpful Guilt: Conviction - drives us to God

Wrong ways to deal with guilt:

• Projection - It is always someone else's fault

• Rationalization - It's no big deal

• Comparison - I am not as bad as so and so

• Suppression - I won't think about it

• Distraction - I'm too busy to deal with this right now in my life

• Escapism - I just need some relief

How does God forgive?

1. God forgives me instantly

• Isa. 55:7

• 1 John 1:9

2. God forgives me repeatedly

• Neh. 9:17

• Heb. 7:25

3. God forgives me freely

• Rom. 3:23-24

• Eph. 2:8-9

4. God forgives me completely

• Col. 2:13-14

• Col. 1:14

• Rom. 3:25

So, how do I find God's forgiveness?

I need to:

Admit my need to it

Believe it is available no matter what

Commit my life to Him

Determine to live in freedom for his purpose in my life forever