You Are Never Too Far Gone For God - Part 8

The Bible contains many passages that illustrate God’s unconditional love and forgiveness.  And it speaks of how Jesus reached out to sinners to call them back into fellowship.
 
“Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
When Jesus heard that, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’  For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Matthew 9:10-13
 
This is just one of several instances where Jesus receives criticism from the religious class for his association with sinners.
 
“And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
Luke 15:2
 
“So he told them this parable: What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.  Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7
  
There are several verses that speak directly of forgiveness.  Here are a few:
 
“as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:12
 
“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.”
Daniel 9:9
 
“Then he adds: Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Hebrews 10:17
 
“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
 
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
Isaiah 43:25
 
“For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate.  He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”
2 Chronicles 30:9
 
Conclusion
 
By simply claiming the payment made by Jesus we are all immediately reconciled to God.  There is forgiveness for all who seek it.  But more than forgiveness – a freedom from the past.  God does not chain us with guilt.  He does not seek restitution or even penance.  When Jesus saved the woman from being stoned he did not say – now go say 30 Our Father’s and 20 Hail Mary’s on your rosary.  He simply said “go and sin no more”.
All God asks is that we accept what he is giving us.  Imagine if the prodigal son would have had second thoughts when he saw his father running toward him and decided to turn and run away in shame?  He never would have seen the great banquet prepared for him.  If you turn from God you will never see the great eternal future he has in store for you.

The good news is that it is not too late to turn to him.  Even if you wait until your final breath to turn to him he will accept you no questions asked.  But I would encourage you not to wait, because in doing so you are missing out on the peace and joy that comes from fellowship with God.  You will still have hard times, but God will help you through them.  You will still have pain, sadness and loss, but God will bring you comfort, perspective, and wisdom so as to weather the trials of this life.  And when this life ends, he will be there to greet you at the great banquet he has prepared in Heaven.
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