What’s The Best Way To Seek Forgiveness Of Sin? 2/9/2021

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by Robin Mackinley

In 2 Chronicles the temple of the Lord was completed. During its dedication, Solomon prayed for the forgiveness of the nation of Israel. God told him how to get answers to those requests. What He said is also the best way to seek forgiveness of sin for us as well.

May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive. 2 Chronicles 6:21

In 2 Chronicles 5 Solomon had just finished the temple of the Lord. Verse 1 says He brought all the gifts his father, David, had dedicated. The silver, the gold, and the various articles—and he stored them in the treasuries of the Temple of God.

Later in that chapter in verse 7, they brought in the Ark of the Covenant. Then verse 14 says The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud. For the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.

That brings us to chapter 6 where it says Solomon offered praise to the Lord. Verse 12 then says these words. Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire community of Israel, and he lifted his hands in prayer.

Solomon in his wisdom knew that the nation of Israel would mess up and sin. During this prayer, he gave 7 scenarios of how the nation might fall short. Then after each of these, he made this request of the Lord. Then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive.

The Lord’s Response for Forgiveness 

I love the Lord’s response in the next chapter. Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, 2 Chronicles 7:14.  This statement answers the question of, what’s the best way to seek forgiveness of sin?

The Lord answered with the word “if,” followed by 4 directives. They were to come to Him humbly, in prayer, seeking His face, and turned from your wicked ways. Then He will directly answer Solomon’s request. I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

It is impossible to live in this world without sinning. Solomon knew that because he said in 6:36, If they sin against you—and who has never sinned? When we sin, we too must follow those 4 directives as well. The next verse says this.

My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where my name will be honored forever. 2 Chronicles 7:15-16 

God’s Temple 

Just in case you are not aware, your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. You are chosen and set apart to be holy.

Jesus taught us this phrase to pray in the Lord’s Prayer; forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:12-13

We are going to sin and some temptations will overtake us. When that happens remember there is forgiveness. Solomon’s pattern of prayer was to pray earnestly and humbly.

Lord, thank you for forgiving us when we come to you. We come with a sincere heart, humbled and seeking your face, as we turn from our wicked ways.

Robin McKinleyRobin, with his wife Cindy, became children’s evangelists early in their ministry. They ministered to children full time for 8 years. During that time they developed several children’s stories which were told with visuals and puppets.

Robin recently turned two of those stories into children’s books. One is called “The Contest,” a book about the Fruit of the Spirit, and the other is called “Twas the Night of Christmas”.  He has also authored 5 volumes of devotional books called, 3 Minutes Alone with God. Each entry is a product of his personal biblical Journaling.

These and his other writings are available on his website called Christian Perspectives at www.ramckinley.com. When you visit this site, you can sign-up for newly written devotions as they come out which will be emailed to you.

Presently Robin is the pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Pottstown, PA. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He and his wife make their home in Birdsboro, Pa. He also serves as the president of the local ministerium. He and Cindy have two married sons and four grandchildren. 

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