Can God Forgive an Ex-Prostitute? (Or Whoever You thought You are)

[Title is mine, but the story I quoted from The Speaker’s Quote Book by Roy B. Zuck (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1997, 2009.  pg. 199)]

One night in a church service a young woman responded to the gospel and accepted Jesus as her Savior. She had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But the change in her was evident.

As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching the young children. It was not long before this faithful young woman caught the eye and heart of the pastor’s son. Their relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began. The church members began to argue about the matter. About half of the church members did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor’s son.

At a meeting, as the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the situation got completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought about her past. As she began to cry, the pastor’s son could not bear that pain it was causing his wife-to-be. He stood to speak:

“My fiancée’s past is not what on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?”

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is foundational to the gospel.

My note:

Forgiveness is not about the magnitude of the sin (in the story above are – alcohol, drugs, and prostitution), but on the magnitude of the Forgiver’s love (Jesus Christ’s love. He died on the cross for you and me). Nothing you’ve done is so bad that God’s complete and unconditional love can’t forgive it (unless you consciously deny His forgiveness on the cross). Hey, no matter how seriously you’ve messed up, it will never be enough for God to turn His back on you. He is offering forgiveness – ask Him for it. The Scripture confirmed it: “’Come now let’s settle this,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them white as wool’” (Isaiah 1:18NLT). How? By the blood of Jesus Christ.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.