TO
   BE . . .

                      Forgiven

How Blessed are
They Indeed

"...Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered."   Romans 4:7

THE VERSE YOU JUST READ describes something that many people have
     spent a lifetime seeking.   To be forgiven is why millions participate in religion.
     It is why many are baptized, believing that water will somehow wash away
sins, and why others trust their good deeds, or their ability to keep the Ten
Commandments, hoping their efforts will merit them forgiveness.

The list of things people will trust goes on and on, but sadly they never
seem to fully get rid of the person's sense of guilt before God.

Perhaps you have been trying to get your sins forgiven.   Maybe you're trusting that
one of the things previously mentioned will make you right with God.   But ask
yourself if you feel totally guiltless before Him.   If you did, then Heaven would be
a sure thing.

You wouldn't have to wonder if you'll [go] there when you die.   True
forgiveness of sins will result in total assurance of Heaven.   But if you can't say:
"I know for sure I'm going to Heaven when I die," then what you're trusting in
has not gotten you the forgiveness you seek.   It's as simple as that.

Fortunately the Bible, God's Word, tells us exactly how forgiveness is obtained.   It
teaches that: "...Christ died for our sins..." (1 Cor. 15:3).   And it is because of
His death and shed blood, that you can obtain forgiveness.   The Bible, referring to
Christ, says that: "...we have redemption through his blood, even
the forgiveness of sins:" (Col. 1:14).   (See also: Eph. 1:7)

All the baptism, good deeds, church membership, and self-righteousness in the
world will not "persuade" God to forgive you, because none of those acts
involve death and shed blood.   The Bible says: "...without shedding of
blood is no remission [forgiveness]."   (Heb. 9:22)

Jesus Himself, during the Lord's supper, told His disciples: "For this is my
blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the
remission of sins."   (Matt. 26:28)   And as for water washing away sin, the
Bible says that Christ:

"...washed us from our sins in his own blood," (Rev. 1:5).

FORGIVENESS OF SINS can be obtained only by trusting in what Christ
     has done on the cross.   There is no other way.   Jesus said: "I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me."   (John 14:6)   (see also: John 10:9; Acts 4:12)

He told His disciples, "...that repentance and remission [FORGIVENESS]
of sins should be preached in his name among all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem."   (Luke 24:47)   (see also: Mat. 12:18-21)

In fact, Jesus specifically told the Apostle Paul to go to the gentiles and tell them
about His death on the cross so, "...that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that
is in me."   (Acts 26:18)   (see also: John 11:25-26)

And this is exactly what Paul did, as he preached: "Be it known unto you
therefore, men and brethren, that through this man [JESUS] is
preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:" (Acts 13:38).

During his sermons, Paul would show that Christ's death was foretold by the Old
Testament prophets.   He said: "To him [Jesus] give all the prophets witness, that
through his name whosoever believeth in him shall
receive remission [forgiveness] of sins."   Acts 10:43   (see also: John
5:39; Isa. 53:3-5)

Paul's entire ministry emphasized the fact that forgiveness of sins is through Christ
and Him alone.   He said: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.   Much more then, being
now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through
him."   (Rom. 5:8-9)
   God had sent His Son, "...to be a propitiation [payment for sins] through
faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the
remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" (Rom.
3:25).   (see also: John 1:29; 3:16-18; Acts 16:30-31; Rom. 3:26- 28; 5:1;
6:23; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:8-9; Heb. 9:28; 10:10-14; 1 Pet. 2:24;
3:18)

On one occasion, Paul reminded the church at Colosse how Christ had saved them
by, "...having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting
of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out
of the way, nailing it to his cross;" (Col. 2:13-14).

He also reminded the church at Ephesus of Christ's blood-bought forgiveness when
he told them, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one
another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
(Eph. 4:32)

The Apostle John once reminded some Christians of what had made their
forgiveness possible, when he said, "I write unto you, little children, because
your sins are forgiven you for his [Jesus'] name's sake."   (1
John 2:12)

We have shown you all this to stress the fact that forgiveness of sins can only be
obtained, "...if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [i.e.
REPENT], and shalt believe in thine heart [i.e. TRUST] that God hath raised
him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."   (Rom. 10:9)   (see also: Rom. 10:12-13)

To ignore this and continue to trust in your baptism, good deeds, good behavior,
church membership, self-righteousness, or anything other than Christ, is to make
His death on the cross mean nothing, and Paul said: "I do not frustrate the grace
of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in
vain [for nothing]."   (Gal. 2:21)   (see also Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:19-20; 4:5;
8:3; 11:6; Gal. 2:16; 3:10-11; Eph. 2:8-9; 5:2; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5)

To treat the death of God's Son as nothing, is to bring the wrath of an angry Father
upon you.   The Bible warns that, "if we sin wilfully after that we have received
the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But
a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation,
which shall devour the adversaries."   (Heb. 10:26-27)   (see also: Rev. 20:11-15;
21:8; Matt. 13:41-42; John 3:36)

So please take the time, think about what you have read, and consider the words of
Jesus Christ Himself:

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe
not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."   (John 8:24)

And

"...except ye repent [change your mind],
ye shall all likewise perish."   (Luke 13:3)

IF you were to die today, are you 100% SURE
you would go to Heaven?   The Bible says
YOU CAN BE SURE (1 John 5:13).

BUT FIRST, you must realize that what keeps you
from going to Heaven are your sins, because:
"...your iniquities [sins] have separated
between you and your God," Isaiah 59:2.
In fact, in God's eyes YOU ARE A SINNER: "For
all have sinned, and come short
of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23.

SECONDLY, you must realize that there is
NOTHING you can do to save yourself and earn
Heaven: "For by grace are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is
the gift of God: Not of works, lest any
man should boast."   Eph. 2:8-9   Baptism, good
deeds, church membership, self-righteousness are
all examples of good works that cannot save you,
because: "Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he [Christ] saved
us," Titus 3:5.

THE ONLY WAY you can get saved is through
Jesus Christ.   He said: "I am the way, the
truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me."   (John 14:6)   THAT'S
WHY: "...while we were yet sinners, Christ
died for us."   (Rom. 5:8-9)

THEREFORE: You must REPENT (change your
mind); admit that you are a Hell deserving sinner
and can't save yourself.   And call upon Christ, and
Him alone, to save you.   "if thou shalt confess
with thy mouth the Lord Jesus [REPENT], and
shalt believe in thine heart [TRUST] that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be
saved."   Romans 10:9

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