All for Christ

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.-John 3:14-18

While Verse 16 is the most famous verse in the Bible, the entire passage is important. God once condemned the World (see Genesis 6) and destroyed with a flood of water. He could have condemned the entire world and every generation in this same manner.

God instead offered man a way to Salvation if they would believe on Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal Saviour (Revelations 3:20). All of the promises of grace and mercy found in the Bible are dependent on accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.-Isaiah 44:22 Even in the Old Testament, there are numerous scriptures extolling God’s mercy. How much more should we who are covered by the Blood of Christ proclaim the greatness of his grace and mercy!

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

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.-1 John 2: 10

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.-1 John 4:10

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.-Hebrews 8:12

On the “Really Bad Sins”

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.-Psalm 16:10

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.-1 Timothy 1:13-16

The man who wrote the first passage committed adultery with one of his officers wives and then had that officer killed. His name was David, yet he had confidence in God’s grace and mercy though he, of his own merit was unworthy of it.

The second man persecuted and killed dozens of Christians in and about Judea and even travelled to Damascus to carry out his hatred. This same man became a hero of the Faith and the greatest Christian leader of his age. Consider the lives of Paul and David and ask whether your sin is really too big for God to forgive.

Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: -Isaiah 59:1

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.-John 6:37

On Backsliding:

I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.-Hosea 14:4

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. -Isaiah 1:18

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. -Revelations 3:18-20

God has throughout scripture sought to bring his wayward children home whether Israel, or sinners or backsliders. Even though Simon Peter denied Him, Jesus welcomed Him back (John 21:15-19).

The Bible tells us plainly, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. -2 Peter 3:9 . It’s a human desire to never forgive the “dirty so and so” who does us wrong, but it’s God’s pleasure to show us mercy if only we’ll ask Him.

God’s grace is abundant. He loves you so much. Whether you’re a backslider, a non-Christian, or a Christian struggling with a sin, I’d urge in the name of Jesus to take hold of God’s everlasting mercy!

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