Can God forgive my sins?

Posted on June 22, 2012 Updated on June 21, 2012

Luke 19 vs. 1-10:

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’ ”

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”
Zacchaeus, the tax Collector typified sin in the Bible. The story in Luke 19 portrays him as a wealthy Tax collector who the Pharisees regarded as not worthy of entering the Kingdom of God, but was counted worthy by Jesus Christ the Saviour of mankind.

Zacchaeus himself admitted that He is a Sinner, but he was eager and desperate to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In order to get the mercy of God, he was willing to give up half of his possessions for the poor as a form of restitution, as required by the Mosaic laws. Moreover, Zacchaus was also willing to return all ill-gotten wealth acquired all false pretences.

In spite of being treated as outcasts by the Pharisees, Sadducees and other religious leaders of the time, Jesus Christ went to dine at Zacchaues’ home, ignoring the protestations of the Pharisees (who wrongly believed that Jesus should not be associated with sinners).

In dismissing the murmurings of the religious leaders, Jesus Christ simply said he came: “to seek and to save what was lost.” </em>(vs. 10)

There are several lessons from this Biblical passage- Luke 19. The first lesson is that Jesus Christ is the friend of Sinners who he came to save. The basic ministry of Jesus Christ is to save lost souls.

Jesus was attracted to Zacchaues and even paid him a visit in his house, the same Jesus is still willing to receive every mankind. The world may be treating you as an outcast, but Jesus is knocking the door of your heart wanting to be your friend.

Are you into any shameful activity ? Have you committed any sin that you think is beyond forgiveness? Have you eager and desperate to repent and seek the light just like Zacchaues? Are you willing to forsake the world and its pleasures for the gift of God? You too can be saved like Zacchaues if you desire. Jesus the Saviour is waiting for you.

Do you want to be reconciled with God, through Jesus the Lord and Saviour? Then say this simple prayer:

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that I am a sinner and have fallen short of your glory. I genuinely repent from all my sins and pledge to go and sin no more. I accept your plan to reconcile mankind to you through Jesus Christ, who you sent in your name.

I believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and died on the Cross to pay the penalty for my sins and redeem me. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I pray that His blood washes my sins away. I invite the Holy Spirit to rule my Life. I am born again in Jesus name.

If you want more information on how you can build a new life with God, visit Save the World at http://www.christonline.info or send an email to: info@christonline.info

Babatope Babalobi

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