Forgiveness and Son Identity: Living Free in God's Grace

The concept of forgiveness of sins is profoundly powerful: God sees you as if you've never sinned. If you are forgiven, you are truly forgiven; if He has cleansed you of all unrighteousness, then in His sight, there is nothing unrighteous about you. This understanding shifts one's perspective from trying not to sin to enjoying the state of being clean, free, and forgiven. Living with the belief that you are forgiven empowers you to live in the power of that forgiveness, transforming your life. It's not about finding a way to sin and get away with it, but about finding a way to be truly free.

This freedom comes from embracing your identity as a "son" and understanding that "as a man thinketh, so he is." This truth sets you free, and "he whom the Son sets free is free indeed." This isn't a temporary state but a continuous way of living.

The Lord's Question: Why Do You Live the Way You Do?

A personal anecdote illustrates this point. The speaker was asked by the Lord, "Do you know why you live the way you do?" Initially, the response was one of worship and gratitude, attributing it to God's mercy and grace. However, the Lord indicated that while these statements were true, they needed "a place to land" in the speaker's life.

This means that merely acknowledging God's attributes isn't enough; one must truly receive and embody them. For example, you can say God is merciful, but do you receive His mercy? You can speak of God's love, but are you being loved by God? These truths need to manifest in your life.

Receiving Mercy and Forgiveness

The true reception of God's mercy is demonstrated by how merciful you are to others. Unforgiveness, therefore, is a sign that you haven't fully grasped how clean you are or truly received the revelation that you are forgiven of everything you've ever done. If you understood the depth of your own forgiveness and still harbored unforgiveness, it would contradict the teachings of Matthew 18, which describes such a person as an "evil wicked servant."

The struggle with unforgiveness often stems from a failure to see how deeply forgiven we ourselves are. If God forgave us of everything we owed Him and all our wrongdoings, who are we to withhold forgiveness from others? People live in unforgiveness because they don't realize the extent of their own forgiveness. "He who is forgiven much loves much." It's not about having the worst testimony, but about believing you are forgiven much.

Beyond Theological Agreement: The Word Becoming Flesh

We can know theological terms, speak religious language, and agree with all the right things, yet lack genuine transformation in our lives. We can find spirituality in theological discussions, feeling spiritual by talking about scripture, but the "word" might not be evident or manifesting in our daily lives. The word is meant to "become flesh" in your life. When you are wronged, your response should reflect this transformation, making it seem as if you were "done right."

The Revelation of Being a Son

The speaker recounts a pivotal moment: the night he got saved, he saw his sin and his need for God. This led to a profound sin-consciousness. However, from that moment on, he has lived with the revelation of being a "son." This identity as a son is the reason for his consistent walk of faith for over 30 years, without feeling the need to "try" to be a Christian or walk in faith. This isn't about avoiding trials; he has experienced many difficulties, but his identity in Christ remains unshaken.

He didn't come to God to change his circumstances but to come to God Himself. In turn, God came into him, making him who He intended him to be. This leads to a different view and response to life's challenges. There's no need for a "fair shake" or a "break" because fulfillment comes from loving others, not from being loved. This removes self-centeredness, insecurity, and lack, leading to wholeness.

Denying Self and Embracing Wholeness

Fear often arises from a self-centered perspective. If life is about "me," fear will be present. But if it's about "Him and you," fear dissipates, and hurt diminishes. Self-centeredness is the root of many struggles.

The true "altar call" is not just about praying a prayer to avoid hell, but about denying oneself, picking up one's cross, and following Christ. Denying oneself means understanding that you were never made for yourself, but for God's great image and name. This is not about works or prayer and fasting, but about a revelation: "I was never made for me." You were predestined to be blameless in love before God. This revelation brings a freshness to faith that is not old, stale, or religious. Every day is a gift, a "life in Christ."

Healing and Forgiveness are Married

Healing and forgiveness of sin are intrinsically linked throughout scripture. When people face sickness or long-term struggles, they often introspect, questioning what they did wrong or what door they opened. This tendency to question one's worth or actions during trials is common. However, the New Testament is filled with "endurance scriptures," indicating that smooth sailing is not promised. We are in a spiritual war.

The same storm came to the wise man as to the foolish man, not because the wise man opened a door, but because he heard the word. Satan attacks for the word's sake. When trials come, people often become introspective and question their worth. But the wise man endures the storm by holding onto his belief, understanding his righteousness, forgiveness, and freedom. He declares God's salvation rather than backpedaling, questioning, or wondering what went wrong.

Such questions indicate a lack of revelation. When you have revelation, these questions don't even arise. The devil exploits this lack of understanding, leading people to wonder why God is allowing things to happen. However, it's not about God "letting" things happen, but about being positioned for it and being destroyed for a "lack of knowledge." It's not about opening a door, but about not seeing clearly.