You are Good Enough

He Will Never Forgive Me!

I have talked with so many friends and people who have told me many times “I have done too many bad things there is no hope for me”. Did you know that God loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with Him! He will forgive you, and even will help you to know Him better. One of the best explanations I ever heard is proclaimed with a simple question; What would you do for your children? I know I would do anything!

God is our Father, our Dad so what do you think He would do for you as one of his children? And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. ^{Luke 15:20-24 ESV}

One of the most powerful stories of forgiveness in the Bible will show you yes you can: Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9:1-19 NIV

Who was Saul?  Acts 13:9 ⁹ Then Saul, who was also called Paul. You  see the guy that had been killing and arresting Christians received Gods forgiveness and ended up writing a lot of the New Testament!

There are so many examples throughout the bible that show just how much God uses imperfect people to complete His will. Samson and Noah were drunks, Moses was a murder, Rahab was a prostitute, Jacob was a liar, David had an affair. We can see God has used flawed people to accomplish what needed to be done. So many people have placed a points system on sin, But God has told us that sin is sin and that: So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. ^{James 4:17 ESV} For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God ^{Romans 3:23 ESV} “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” ^{Mark 7:20-23 ESV} If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ^{1 John 1:8-9 ESV}