Weekly Sermons

God Reveals His Response to Humbled Sinners

Today we will see that when God shared the components of His name, He wanted it to get into our hearts and minds that He is the God who forgives sin!

Forgiveness is when you give up all claim on a debt owed to you, and treat the person as if the debt never existed going forward.

The word for forgiveness is nasa (H5375), which occurs 613 times in the Hebrew O.T. Its simple meaning is to lift, to bear up, to carry off, to take away.

When we confess (say the same thing about) our sins as sin, repent (change our minds about) and turn to or back to God in faith, He forgives us and restores us to right relationship with Himself.

The word for iniquity is awon (H5771), which occurs in 213 verses. It means depravity or perversity and is sometimes translated punishment. God has a perfect way for us to live, but we have ‘perverted’ it and deserve punishment.

The word for transgression is pesa (H6588), which occurs in 91 verses. It means rebellion or offense. God is our Creator and King; we are treasonous rebels.

The word for sin is hatta - at (H2403), which occurs in 296 verses. This is the word we think of when we think of sin against God, with its accompanying guilt, punishment and the need for a substitute sin-offering.       

“There is a way that seems right to a man – but in the end it leads to death.”                                                          -Proverbs 14:12

And he shall bring to the priest as his compensation to the Lord a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering. And the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord, and he shall be forgiven for any of the things that one may do and thereby become guilty.       -Lev. 4:6-7

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – everyone – to his own way; but the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.                 -Isa. 53:6

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.             -John 1:29

“Which one of you convicts Me of sin?”        -Jesus in John 8:46

“Unless you believe that “I am,” you will die in your sins.”      -Jesus in John 8:24

If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.                    -2 Chronicles 7:14 (See 2 Chr. 6:21)

The opposite of pride is not humility. Pride glorifies yourself; the opposite of pride is glorifying God – finally desiring to turn to God and glorify Him in your life from now on. Humility is the foundation that leads to a life of glorifying God.

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief…godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.                                                                                                                   -2 Corinthians 7:9-10

God’s jealousy is a good and holy jealousy. He really does know what’s best for us based on His steadfast love and truth, and when we don’t choose it, it grieves Him because we are making poor choices that won’t help us flourish.

God is zealous for you and jealous for you to experience what’s best for you rather than the empty ways you try to fill the hole in your soul. He knows the satisfaction you are looking for will only be found in your relationship with Him.