How Can You Know That You Are Forgiven?
These last eight weeks have flown by, and I pray that we’re ending this study a little wrecked, a lot changed, and in complete awe of our great God and His mind-blowing gift of forgiveness.
Many nights were spent praying and writing this book (and then praying some more, begging Jesus for the words), and we believe that there’s no better time to share from God’s Word about what it really means to be forgiven.
We wanted a book that was real and raw – one that would let women know that they are not alone in the struggles of this life. The truth is, the team of women who contributed to this book sacrificed some serious guts and vulnerability in sharing their stories. Why would they do that? Because Jesus is worthy. Our prayer is that through these pages you’ll be stunned by Jesus and His grace – either for the first time, or all over again – and that this truth will transform each of us so radically that it spills over into the hurting world around us.
But maybe you’ve read these pages and you still question whether God has really forgiven you.
We implore you – don’t wait another day to embrace the love and forgiveness that Jesus has for you. How can you do that?
Know these truths from God’s Word…
God loves you.
Even when you’re feeling unworthy and like the world is stacked against you, God loves you – yes, you – and He has created you for great purpose.
God’s Word says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Our sin separates us from God.
We are all sinners by nature and by choice, and because of this we are separated from God, who is holy.
God’s Word says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Jesus died so that you might have life.
The consequence of sin is death, but your story doesn’t have to end there! God’s free gift of salvation is available to us because Jesus took the penalty for our sin when He died on the cross.
God’s Word says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23); “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Jesus lives!
Death could not hold Him, and three days after His body was placed in the tomb Jesus rose again, defeating sin and death forever! He lives today in heaven and is preparing a place in eternity for all who believe in Him.
God’s Word says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2-3).
Yes, you can KNOW that you are forgiven.
Accept Jesus as the only way to salvation…
Accepting Jesus as your Savior is not about what you can do, but rather about having faith in what Jesus has already done. It takes recognizing that you are a sinner, believing that Jesus died for your sins, and asking for forgiveness by placing your full trust in Jesus’s work on the cross on your behalf.
God’s Word says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10).
Practically, what does that look like? With a sincere heart, you can pray a simple prayer like this:
God,
I know that I am a sinner.
I don’t want to live another day without embracing
the love and forgiveness that You have for me.
I ask for Your forgiveness.
I believe that You died for my sins and rose from the dead.
I surrender all that I am and ask You to be Lord of my life.
Help me to turn from my sin and follow You.
Teach me what it means to walk in freedom as I live under Your grace,
and help me to grow in Your ways as I seek to know You more.
Amen.
If you just prayed this prayer (or something similar in your own words), would you email us at [email protected]? We’d love to help get you started on this exciting journey as a child of God!
*Let’s talk: Let’s celebrate!! In the comments below, share one way God’s Word has impacted YOU during our You Are Forgiven study…
At His feet,
Know someone who would be encouraged by the message of You Are Forgiven? Grab a copy for them on Amazon today! #YouAreForgivenBook (aff) http://amzn.to/2agBCTQ.
Our next NEW study: In Everything Give Thanks begins on November 7th…join us! We know life gets busy during these upcoming months, let us help you plan how you’re going to remain intentional to be in God’s Word!
Our 2 week Thanksgiving study: In Everything Give Thanks, starts on November 7th. (NOW available on Amazon)
Our 4 week Advent study: God With Us, starts on November 28th.
We would LOVE for you to join us for both of our NEW and upcoming studies…and help us change women’s lives around the world through your purchase of a Love God Greatly Bible Study Journal!
Such a great post as we end this YAF study and for the prayer of salvation that is included in this blog. Thank you Father God, that through this study of YAF, I was able to forgive them (you know who they are). And was the first one to speak, thank you for the strenght and courage, for it has been years of no communication, thank you for allowing my heart to heal all those bitterness and anger that makes my heart heavy and for moving on, in Jesus most Holy name the name above all namrs, Amen
Will these upcoming studies for Thanksgiving & Advent be available in eBook format?
Hi !
There will be the free PDF available for journaling/SOAP. I can get back to you shortly with an answer about an e-book.
At this time our next study will be available in paperback format with a free PDF journal being available as well
Thank you so much for these studies…I have lost count as to how many I have done with you all! I just tried to purchase the new one(s) on Amazon and it said out of print…did i not shop quickly enough or are more on the way? Also, will it be two separate books or both in one? Thank you!
I also have lost count of how many studies I have done. I have enjoyed each one and have grown because of it. It also makes me accountable! I loved the book You are Forgiven. What would put icing on my cake would be if the journals were spiral bound like a tablet! I find it hard to wright in the bounded books! Thank you for all of your hard work, devotion, and prayers! Can’t wait for the next study!
What a beautiful ending to a beautiful study! Thank you Whitney, for this blog post today! I am truly sad to see this study end. It has touched places deep within my soul. God has revealed things from my past that I was harboring so deeply within, things that I truly thought I had already dealt with, but discovered differently. This study has been so healing, and just given me the reassurance that, YES! I. Am. Forgiven. Thanks to each one of you beautiful ladies at Love God Greatly, for all you do to keep these studies available. Thank you for your diligence, your faith, your teaching, your willingness to reach out to us, and for your love! I am so grateful for each one of you, and so blessed to be a part of this team! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Rachel, I, too have found areas in which forgiveness needed to be given. The study truly was beautiful and it whizzed by! We are so blessed by the contributors to this study. I hope you are joining us for the next study as well.
This study has been amazing for me. I’ve cried from relief and from the knowledge that everything Jesus went through, He did for me.
I believe this is a study that should be done at least 3 times a year.
Beth, this study brought forth such a response so deep in our beings that we definitely should visit it again to help ourselves be vigilant in offering forgiveness and sharing its message. You are so right “He did it for ” you ?
This study has been a total blessing, and we have come to love each other in Christ no matter how far away from each other we are! One of our ladies is a born again Jew, and one lady trusted Christ as her Savior during our class! Great battles have been fought to keep the evil one from distracting from what we were being taught! Out of our 14 ladies, five had to take the time off for personal reasons, but I still allowed them to read the postings so they may be blessed along the way. The other nine have been posting their SOAPS quite frequently ! Thank you for all the hard work and prayer that has gone into this greatly-used-of-God study about all the facets of forgiveness! May you all be as blessed as we are because of it! ?❤️
Praise God for those victories that were fought and the blessings that come with trusting Christ and accepting forgiveness. Your group appears to have been incredibly blessed. What a beautiful response to the study. ❤️
The 2 week study is sold out on amazon.