(1)
Christ’s promise: Reaffirming the
promise of the gospel, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘This is what is written,
that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that
repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all
nations.’ (Luke 24:46-47)
(2)
Justice and life: God declares
through his prophet Ezekial: ‘When a wicked person turns away from the
wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his
life.’ (Ezek 18:27)
(3)
Brokenness: Speaking by the Spirit,
King David reassures us: ‘The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken
and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.’ (Psalm 51:17)
(4) Intercession: Who will bring any charge
against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who
condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to
life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Rom 8v33-34)
(5)
Propitiation: John reassures us that
Jesus stands for us in heaven, declaring that: ‘If anyone sins, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the
propitiation for our sins.’
(6)
Deep sorrow: Through his prophet
Joel, God calls us to himself, saying: ‘Rend your hearts and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger,
and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents from sending calamity.’ (Joel
2:13)
(7)
Disobeying God’s word: By the Spirit Daniel
reminds us of our need to repent, saying: ‘To the Lord our God belong mercy and
forgiveness. For we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of
the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us.’ (Dan 9:9-10)
(8)
Returning to Father: Through the
Prodigal son Jesus assures us of how we may receive God’s mercy. The son said:
‘I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I
have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called
your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants." But while he was still
a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced
him and kissed him.’ (Luke 15:18-20)
(9)
Substitution: God declares through
his prophet Isaiah that: ‘Christ was pierced for our transgressions, he was
crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.’ (Is 53:5)
(10)
Acceptance of sin: God promises us
through the apostle John that: ‘If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just, to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’
(11)
The love of God: John reassures us of
our salvation writing: ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten
Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’
(12)
Christ’s purpose of salvation: Paul reminds
us of Jesus’ great purposes, stating: ‘This saying is true and worthy of full
acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’
(13)
Reconciled and free from accusation: Paul
reminds us of the results of Christ’s death: ‘We were alienated from God,
hostile in our minds and evil in our deeds. But now Christ has reconciled us to
God, to presented us holy in his sight, blameless, and free from accusation, if
we continue in our faith, steadfast and firm, not moving
from the gospel.’ (1:21-23)
Could
follow with: “Therefore, according to
God’s word, which stands forever, if you have sincerely repented, you are
forgiven your sin.”