When we first come to Christ, we learn that the Bible says,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) and
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
As a young Christian, there were times when satan, my accuser, would rob me of my peace as he caused me to question my forgiveness. As I searched the scriptures, it is the following scripture that finally settled the question, “Are you forgiven?” in my heart.
Psalm 103:8-13 says:
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities, For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;”
As I read Psalm 103 the well-known opening line of the poem, “The Ballad of East and West” by Rudyard Kipling came to mind: “Oh, East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet.” Think about it. As I pondered the question, “Exactly where does the east meet the west?,” I realized that no matter where on this globe we may stand, that question remains unfathomable. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” What a glorious reminder of the depth and breadth of our forgiveness!
My prayer for you is the prayer Paul prayed for the Ephesians 3:16-21:
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
By Sherry Yarger
Used by Permission
Further Reading
• God’s Plan – A Study on God’s Destiny for Me?
• How to Know I am Really Saved
• Salvation Explained