Have your Bible’s today, please take them and open to Proverbs 28:13 We are a forgiven people Doug spoke about the reason/ purpose of Christmas a couple wks ago, this is involved in salvation! With forgiveness comes pardon

Does Pardon need acceptance? Here is the question: Does pardon need acceptance? Very real part of receiving FORGIVENESS is receiving & ACCEPTING PARDON! READ: Heard a message recently …

Proverbs 28:13, "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." How do we NOT cover our sins?? Natural human thing to do! Think about the last time you did something you were not proud of, now imagine your whole world knowing about it. Not a good feeling!! As a people we struggle with confession, forgiveness & mercy! I’ve known people in my life that were raised to be ultimately self-sufficient. Never admit a mistake, never show ANY weakness to ANYONE. Never say ‘I’m sorry’. What is so important about that?

Repentance - the key to being forgiven Forgiveness of sin – God’s Forgiveness of self – Us Forgiveness of others Many Christians are living defeated lives, because they are hanging onto their pasts. They see their sins more than they see the solution to their sins, and that is the blood of Jesus! Never truly repent, since they are still in their sin They spend more of their time dwelling on their sins, then dwelling on what Jesus has done for them!

Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. DEFINITION: A pardon is granted to an individual, often by the action of a government official such as a governor, president, or monarch, and releases the individual from any punishment due for the infraction of the law, as a death sentence, prison term, or fine: to be released from prison with a full pardon. It is generally assumed that acceptance of a pardon is an implicit Acknowledgment of guilt, for one cannot be pardoned unless one has committed an offense. The Constitution allows two other pardon powers besides the power of commutation.

1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness." What a great verse! Are there any if/ and or buts here? One thing I never really picked up before (& CLEANSE US) IF, we confess our sins! Must confess/ accept Pardon & Forgiveness

If you can confess it, you can be forgiven of it! If you can confess it, you can be forgiven of it! LEAVE WITH NOTHING ELSE, LEAVE WITH THIS! NO MATTER WHAT YOU/ I HAVE DONE!!!

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