Clean Slate

11-2-2011 by Boyd Bailey

Clean Slate


“If you, O Lord, keep a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. Psalm 130:3-4

With our Savior Jesus, there is a clean slate when we bring our sin to the cross. God placed our sin on His son for our salvation. Sinfully exposed, we are at the mercy of Almighty God. His holiness helps us better understand our helplessness outside of heaven. So our King Jesus extends a full pardon to all who believe, for it is His prerogative to forgive.

Forgiveness is at the forefront of our heavenly Father’s thinking. The power of pardon is permanent with God, and He is ready to forgive in an instant. So go to God with guilt, and leave lust and lies with Him, because He saves and forgives to the uttermost. Invite the grace of God to govern your actions and attitudes. Freed-up people free others to enjoy the fruits of forgiveness.

“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

Moreover, a clean slate from sin is even more reason to fear God. This is the fruit of faith, because you have experienced His redeeming love. The fear of God results from gratitude for the grace given to us by God. There is robust respect and awe for the Almighty, because He does not rain down judgment. God’s grace leads us to have such a holy regard for Him that we fear grieving Him with continued sin.

Therefore, because you have been forgiven much, forgive much. It is not possible or healthy to keep score with those who have hurt you. So, pardon your parents and your pastor, forgive your friends and enemies, and let go of unmet expectations. Your fear of God and gratitude to God facilitates forgiveness with your fellowman.

Since Christ has given you a clean slate you can extend a clean slate to those by whom you feel slighted. Wipe clean the slate of sin with the grace of God that has been given to you, and watch Him, by faith, paint a beautiful canvas of forgiveness and love. You can start over with someone, because your Savior Jesus believes in second chances.

The Bible says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).

How can I best express my gratitude to God for His pardoning of all my sins?

Related Readings: 1 Corinthians 13:5; Hebrews 10:22; 2 Timothy 1:9