重要的福音信息：最美麗的字詞--寬恕
約翰壹書一章1至10節
1論到從起初原有的生命之道，就是我們所聽見、所看見、親眼看過、親手摸過的。
2這生命已經顯現出來，我們也看見過，現在又作見證，將原與父同在、且顯現與我們那永遠的生命、傳給你們。
3我們將所看見、所聽見的傳給你們，使你們與我們相交。我們乃是與父並他兒子耶穌基督相交的。
4我們將這些話寫給你們，使你們（有古卷作：我們）的喜樂充足。
5神就是光，在他毫無黑暗。這是我們從主所聽見、又報給你們的信息。
6我們若說是與神相交，卻仍在黑暗裡行，就是說謊話，不行真理了。
7我們若在光明中行，如同神在光明中，就彼此相交，他兒子耶穌的血也洗淨我們一切的罪。
8我們若說自己無罪，便是自欺，真理不在我們心裡了。
9我們若認自己的罪，神是信實的，是公義的，必要赦免我們的罪，洗淨我們一切的不義。
10我們若說自己沒有犯過罪，便是以神為說謊的，他的道也不在我們心裡了。
信息分享
你最先認識這個詞是在甚麼時候？是當你為自己做的錯事說對不起，你母親說她寬恕你嗎？你曾體驗過被寬恕的喜樂嗎？
也許，在成長的過程中，你已明白寬恕別人所要付出的代價。當你所愛的人做出傷害你的事，你要寬恕他的時候，你就深深體會到寬恕人所要付出的代價。因此，寬恕總是包含兩面：被寬恕的喜樂，以及寬恕人的代價。
因著耶穌基督為我們的罪而獻上自己，神便願意寬恕我們的罪，與我們和好。以弗所書四章32節說：「神在基督裡寬恕了你們。」聖經的整個觀念是要告訴我們，基督代替我們，接受了十字架的刑罰，為我們償還了罪的贖價。
如今，因基督已為我們還清了罪債，神便可以接納我們。當我們清楚看到自己正陷於罪的境況，而決心要脫離它的時候，只要我們願意接受基督為我們所成就的一切，我們就能得蒙神的寬恕。
當神寬恕我們的時候，我們的罪便被完全塗抹乾淨，然後，祂還會將基督的義賜給我們。這就是聖經所講的「因信稱義」。神以基督的義來代替我們的罪，真是何等大的恩賜！
反思的經文：
請翻看哥林多後書五章21節，看看神為你作了甚麼。
GREAT WORDS OF THE GOSPEL A Beautiful Word - FORGIVENESS
1 John 1:1-10
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—
2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—
3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Message
There are many beautiful words, such as love, mother, home, mercy and grace, in our language. But one of the most beautiful is the word forgiveness.
When did you first hear it? Did your mother use it when you first said you were sorry? Did you learn then the joy of forgiveness?
Perhaps over the years you have also learned the cost of forgiveness. Was it when someone you loved did something that hurt you very much? There are always two sides of forgiveness - the joy and the cost.
God is able to forgive our sin and give us His fellowship on the basis of Jesus Christ's sacrifice of Himself for us. Ephesians 4:32 says, 'In Christ, God forgave you.' The whole concept of the Bible is of Christ taking our place on the cross and paying the punishment, the cost of our sin.
Now because our debt has been paid by Christ, God can accept us. When we see our sinful state and want to be finished with it, God has made only one condition for our acceptance that we accept what Christ has done for us already.
Let's go back to the two parts of the actual word, to give for. When God forgives, what happens? We lose our sins. That is the first part. Then He gives us the righteousness of Christ in the place of our sin. That is justification, all part of God's plan of salvation. What a wonderful exchange! Righteousness for our sin!
A VERSE FOR TODAY: Look up 2 Corinthians 5:21 and see what God has done for you.