He [Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for
ours but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2 NIV).

When Mandy came to see me, she appeared to have her life all
together. She was a Christian who was very active in her church. She had
led her alcoholic father to Christ on his deathbed. She was pretty, and
she had a nice husband and two wonderful children. But she had attempted
suicide at least three times.

"How can God love me?" Mandy sobbed. "I’m such a
failure."

"Mandy, God loves you, not because you are lovable, but because
it is His nature to love you."

"But I’ve tried to take my own life, Neil. How can God overlook
that?"

"Just suppose, Mandy, that your son grew despondent and tried
to take his own life. Would you love him any less? Would you kick him
out of the family? Would you turn your back on him?"

"Of course not. I’d feel sorry for him and try to love him
more."

"Are you telling me that a perfect God isn’t as good a parent
to you as you, an imperfect person, are to your children?"

Mandy got the point. She began to realize that God, as a loving
parent, can overlook weaknesses and forgive sin.

God wants us to do good, of course. The apostle John wrote: "I
write this to you so that you will not sin." But John continued by
reminding us that God has already made provision for our failure so His
love continues constant despite what we do: "But if anybody does
sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ,
the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not
only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John
2:1, 2 NIV).

One reason we doubt God’s love is that we have an adversary who uses
every little offense to accuse us of being good-for-nothings. But your
advocate, Jesus Christ, is more powerful than your adversary. He has
canceled the debt of your sins–past, present and future. No matter what
you do or how you fail, God has no reason not to love you and accept you
completely.

Father in heaven, thank You for being my perfect parent, my haven of
security and trustworthiness, and the victor over my enemy.

This daily devotional is published and distributed by
http://www.GOSHEN.net/ . It is written by Neil Anderson at
http://www.freedominchrist.com/ .