God Did Not Cancel You
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
At this time of year, millions of people are thinking about what gifts they want for Christmas, and many kids are making their Christmas lists.
Some adults window shop and drop hints about what they would like to receive. Others may create a wish list on an online retailer and share it with others. In the Christmas carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” the main character of the song receives a total of 364 gifts. Gifts are a big deal to us, and they are a big deal to God, too.
God is a gift-giving God. He delights in giving good gifts. Jesus even said that the Father experiences great happiness in giving us the Kingdom (see Luke 12:32 NLT). Gifts are not something we can earn, but something we receive—like forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a gift. People truly want to be forgiven. But when we look at the regrets in the past, we know we cannot do anything to earn forgiveness for our sins. We cannot work hard enough or do enough good deeds to cancel our sins. However, we can receive forgiveness, which completely obliterates all of our sins. If you have asked God to forgive you, He has truly forgiven you. You have to accept that fact by faith. Forgiveness is not a feeling, but a gift from God that you receive. When you feel guilty about your past, remind yourself that you have been forgiven.
At its root, forgiveness is a financial term. It is the cancellation of a debt. Imagine a man who owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. He wants to pay off the debt, but it seems insurmountable. One day, the creditor calls to inform the man that he no longer owes anything. The debt has now been cancelled. Would that man feel guilty that he no longer owed a huge debt? No! He would feel relieved, joyful, and grateful. He might even be inspired to show generosity to others.
When you asked God to forgive you, He actually forgave you. It’s time for you to believe that God did exactly what He said. He has forgiven you from all your sins and cleansed you from all unrighteousness. Others may try to cancel you, but I have news for you: God did not cancel you. He cancelled your debt of sin. Now, you are forgiven.
Today’s Application and Prayer
In a notebook or journal, honestly answer the following questions:
Are you trying to do anything to earn forgiveness? What you are doing may be a good thing, but if the motive is to earn forgiveness from God, you’ll end up frustrated and disappointed.
Is there anything you haven’t forgiven yourself for? Sometimes people have a hard time believing God has forgiven them because they have a hard forgiving themselves. God has forgiven you. You need to forgive yourself.
As you answer these questions, pray this prayer: “Father, thank You for forgiving me. Help me to see forgiveness as a gift and not something I earn. Help me to forgive myself and move into the future You have for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Today’s Faith Confession
God did exactly what He said He would do. He has forgiven me of all my sins, and He has cleansed me from all unrighteousness. I am not cancelled; my debt is cancelled. I have been forgiven by God, and I forgive myself.
Today’s Scripture Reading
Luke 7:36–50; Matthew 9:2; 1 John 2:1–2
A Christmas Gift That Will Keep on Giving—Liberty!
We live in a world full of people who limit themselves because they erroneously believe their past is more powerful than their future. Are you one of those people? Refuse to be!
In Jesus, Son of Rahab, Pastor Kerrick Butler, weaves powerful lessons into the lineage of Jesus that will liberate you and prove that God can use anyone who will dare to trust Him. With the Christmas season as a backdrop, these 24 moving devotionals will reveal truth in a fresh and dynamic way, empowering you to enter the new year with hope.
In Jesus, Son of Rahab, you will learn how to…
See yourself the way God sees you
Move past the mistakes of your past
Overcome limitations of your background
In Jesus, Son of Rahab, you will be empowered to…
Launch out into the amazing future God has for you
Dream big dreams that overshadow past nightmares
Make your God-inspired dreams your present-day reality
Refuse to believe you're cancelled or disqualified! Refuse to be robbed of the future because of your upbringing, your circumstances, or your past. From the moment you pick up this book, take your God-given liberty and charge into your destiny!
