“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 NIV

The world would look at my life and ask, “What has she done that needs forgiveness? All she is guilty of is a “little white lie,” a piece of candy stolen from the bins at a store as a kid, a party where underage drinking occurred even though she didn’t partake, a few car wrecks.”

No, by the world’s standards I don’t need forgiveness. I am and always have been a “good little church girl.”

If I don’t need forgiveness then why do I feel so guilty? Guilty. Guilty of pride, judgmental attitudes, self-righteousness, mistakes, accidents, selfishness, neglect of those God calls me to love. I forget things, break promises, and say hurtful things. Yes, I stand condemned, marked a sinner–helpless, hopeless.

What difference does it make if I am drowning in only 100 feet of sin when someone else is drowning in 1,000 feet? We are both drowning. Yet there is something amazingly and scandalously true about God’s grace. He forgives us both.

Yes, He forgives murderers, rapists, and drug dealers. And He forgives “good little church girls” who don’t “need” forgiveness. He forgives adultery and He forgives me when I forget to sew a doll’s arm back on. He forgives through the sanctifying blood of His Son Jesus. His grace covers it all–”big” sins, “hidden” sins, “accidents,” and “mistakes.”

Oh that we would take our guilt to the foot of the cross and lay it there. Trusting the blood of Jesus to wash us clean and resting in the knowledge that we have a new name: Forgiven.

God offers grace and forgiveness for your “big” sins, “little” sins, mistakes, and accidents through Jesus’ death on the cross. If you have never accepted Jesus’ gift of forgiveness, do so now by giving your life to Him. If you have accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for you, lay the burden of guilt down at the cross and walk on in freedom.

Dear God, Thank You for Jesus and His death on the cross. Thank You that I do not have to live a life riddled with guilt. Help me to live in the freedom of Your forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.