Video Summery:
God has graciously forgiven our debt against him through his Son Jesus, and not because of anything we have done.
The message of every other religion, philosophy, or Do-It-Yourself spirituality is that you do things to earn forgiveness. You do spiritual acts (or “good deeds”) so that you will be granted forgiveness by your god.
The Gospel says the opposite. The Gospel says there is nothing you can do to earn forgiveness because the offense is so great. Out of his great love for you, God has chosen to forgive you and cancel your debt against Him. The Gospel says we don’t do good acts to get forgiveness from God. Rather, we do good things because we have already received forgiveness from God through Jesus. Knowing and accepting this truth should have major implications in how we now live our life! We live a life for God out of thankfulness and joy.
Hard Questions:
- One of the over arching assumptions in this passage of Scripture is that we all need forgiveness for our offenses against God. What is your response to that claim? Does that offend you? Does that seem to match up with reality?
- Do you see yourself as someone who is close with God? What leads you to believe that?
- When it comes to loving Jesus, do you love much or do you love little?
- God has lavishly forgiven us of all our sins through Jesus Christ. Do you have difficulty accepting that forgiveness? Why or why not?
- What is one thing you would do different in your life if you understood the forgiveness Jesus has given to you?
