By Billy Graham • August 13, 2008 • Topics: Sin
No, God isn’t going to condemn you for those sins, and the reason is because you have trusted Christ for your salvation, and He has forgiven all your sins — all of them. The Bible says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
Do you remember the criminals who were crucified with Jesus? He didn’t deserve to die for He hadn’t committed any crime — but they had, and under Roman law they deserved death. One of them sneered at Jesus and mocked Him — but the other turned to Jesus in faith and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).
Think about this man for a moment. He couldn’t go back and change the past; he had committed horrible crimes, and he deserved nothing but God’s judgment. But Jesus said he would be with Him in heaven anyway — because he had turned to Christ for the forgiveness he needed. The same is true of you.
Thank God for His mercy and grace toward you — grace that is greater than all your sins. Now you can say with the psalmist, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2). Ask God to strengthen your faith, and to use you to tell others about the new life Christ has given you.