Have you ever done something, said something, thought something, etc. that you just didn’t feel like God could forgive you for? Have you ever had that disgusting moment of clarity wherein you saw your sin for what it really is, and seriously questioned if God could just cast it away, simply because you ask Him to?

We’re doing an online Bible study with some of our high school students, based on What the Bible Teaches, by R.A. Torrey. Chapter 12 is, “The Faithfulness of God.”

Torrey calls upon 1 John 1:9 for his Seventh Proposition of the chapter:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

I don’t often struggle with the concept of God’s forgiveness. On the one hand, I’ve experienced it, so I happen to know it’s better than I could imagine anyway. On the other hand, I’ve learned, in my 28 long years, not to question a generous favor. If the giver hoped I would politely refuse, he’ll learn not to offer again (which the Lord never seems to do).

Still, Torrey’s comment on 1 John 1:9 forced the air out of my lungs for a moment all the same:

“Our confidence that God will forgive our sins when confessed rests upon two known facts about God: God is righteous and God is faithful. To doubt that your sin is forgiven when you have confessed it is to question His righteousness and His faithfulness as well as His veracity. It is not humility, but presumption.”

Snap.

I confess that I still struggle with God’s decision to call His forgiveness manifestations of His “faithfulness” and “righteousness” (or “justice”). I would have chosen, “mercy” and “longsuffering,” personally. “If we confess our sins, he is merciful and patient to forigve us …”

I will not, however, question his faithfulness and/or righteousness as matters of fact.

Next time you can’t imagine how God could forgive you – you sweaty heathen – remind yourself that it’s not really about you at all. Would you accuse Him of being unfaithful or unrighteous? Then accept that you’re forgiven, learn from your mistake, let it break open a new depth of worship in your spirit, and move forward.