We’ve been looking at the outcome of putting faith in Jesus Christ as seen in Romans 3:21-6:23. Today let’s focus on forgiveness.
Romans 4:6: indicates that “David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.” The point is that when we come to the end of our rope, trying to work at establishing a right standing with God, we only get frustrated. Or if we think we’re succeeding we become proud. Both of these consequences are undesirable.
If on the other hand we just trust in God we will be blessed. Listen to Romans 4:7-8: “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.” These verses are from Psalm 32 where David shares the agony of his heart when he kept silent about his sins. He knew he couldn’t hide them from God. In fact, God’s hand of conviction was heavy upon him. Only after acknowledging and confessing his sin did he experience forgiveness. The Psalm closes as it started: “the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart.” Then he described the path to the blessing of God’s forgiveness. Faith was the key.
He repeats his experience in Psalm 51. This is how John puts this in 1st John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Praise God!
