#15 - Jesus Forgives Our Sins

One of the things that made a big impression on me growing up was as a kid attending confession. I could not understand how the priest was able to forgive my sins. And I knew within myself he had not forgiven them... because I lied to him every time!

I made up very generic 'typical kid sins' that I would tell the priest, as if they were 'sins a kid would do' answers from a TV game show.

"I fought with my brothers and sister"

"I said bad words"

"I disobeyed my parents"

I would always leave out my sins that I wanted to hide, like shoplifting a pair of high heels. Or masturbating while looking at a sexy woman in a magazine. Or borrowing my sisters' clothes without permission to cross dress. I was too embarrassed to admit them to anyone, let alone a priest. The church confession services always made me feel guiltier afterward than before. I just couldn't confess there.

Perhaps my guilty conscience about confession was a good thing? It did make me understand I was sinning. I knew the basic beliefs of Christianity, but I did not know Christ. It was only after a friend gave me a book "More than a Carpenter" by Josh McDowell, that I learned about true forgiveness. Josh's' book explained how Jesus claimed to be God and how he alone could forgive sins.

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

That was really enlightening for me to learn, that not Mary, not the saints, and not even the priest could forgive sins. Only Jesus forgives our sins. Only he could. And that teaching comes directly from the Bible. Jesus did not just 'say' he could forgive sins; he backed it up with proof in the form of miracles:

Matthew 9:2-8

2 Some people brought him a paralyzed man on a stretcher.

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Cheer up, friend! Your sins are forgiven.”

3 Then some of the experts in Moses’ Teachings thought, “He’s dishonoring God.”

4 Jesus knew what they were thinking. He asked them, “Why are you thinking evil things? 5 Is it easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

7 So the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe and praised God for giving such authority to humans.

Jesus' forgiveness goes far beyond ours. His forgiveness is endless without measure.

Matthew 18:21

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Hebrews 10:17

17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I confessed my sins to God, even the ones I could not bear to tell a priest. The guilt and shame and the burden of my sins were removed when I knew that Jesus has taken away my sins. You cannot know the joy of that until you experience it yourself.

Is trans a sin? Some say it is, and some will declare that it is not. Whether transitioning is considered a sin or not is very controversial. I believe it isn't really even worth arguing about. The debate could fill a whole book. I look at it this way. Just take that out of the picture. If you consider it sinful, as a crime against our own flesh, or living in or exalting the flesh, won't Jesus forgive that as much as murder or stealing or coveting or lust or crimes against other people? And if 'transitioning' in itself is not considered sinful, then we all have plenty of other sins.

We all need Christ's forgiveness whether we are in the gender community, or we are not. The Bible says Jesus 'doesn't even remember' our sins once we are saved. Wow, that is truly some amazing grace!

Acts 2:38

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I praise the Lord for his great mercy and forgiveness.

He will take your sin away and you can be a child of God too !

Related Posts:

#5 - Jesus is God?

#10 - Salvation By Faith and Grace

Video: Will God Forgive Me for This? (TURN PHONE SIDEWAYS)

The sinner's prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to have a personal relationship with You. I know I am a sinner and I believe You died on the cross for my sins. I turn from those sins and put my faith in You right now to be my Lord and Savior, my God and Friend. Thank You for hearing this prayer. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.