Not one of us is without sin, and each of us lives with a need for consistent repentance

and an active receiving of God's forgiveness.

This is so crucial to living poor in spirit.

The beauty of our God is that his forgiveness is promised at our repentance.

There is no fear or shame in God's perfect love and mercy.

May we learn to embrace this aspect of walking with the Lord rather than shy away from it.

Welcome to the First 15 podcast. Welcome to the First 15 podcast.

Our scripture for today comes from Ephesians 1 verse 7.

Scripture says,

In him we have redemption through his blood.

The forgiveness of our trespasses,

according to the riches of his grace.

In his book the Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning makes an incredibly astute observation of those who are poor in spirit. He writes, The saved sinner is prostrate in adoration, lost in wonder and praise. He knows repentance is not what we do in

order to earn forgiveness. It is what we do because we have been forgiven. To be poor in spirit is to live in a constant state of repentance, founded on the already

promised forgiveness of a just and loving God.

Ephesians 1 7 says, in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches

of His grace.

By the grace of God, you and I are promised forgiveness every time we repent.

We never have to question whether or not we have been forgiven.

Every drop of Jesus' blood proved God's commitment to both

justice and forgiveness. By the powerful sacrifice of Jesus, you and I have received reconciliation

to a holy God, the greatest accomplishment of God's continual forgiveness.

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