Acceptance

You see into even the deepest caverns

There is no shadow dark enough to hide

The sins and scars I feverishly planted

Or the emotive regret that rises inside

I have nothing to give you my dear Abba

There is no ground on which I can stand

But to plead that this fear can be soothed

By your grace-bearing merciful hand

From Devotions For Ragamuffins, by Brennan Manning, Pp.327

God does not condemn but forgives. The sinner is accepted even before he repents. Forgiveness is granted to him, he need only accept the gift. This is real amnesty – gratis. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the love story of God with us. It begins with unconditional forgiveness: the sole condition is trusting faith. Christianity happens when men and women experience the unwavering trust and reckless confidence that come from knowing the God of Jesus. There is no reason for being wary, scrupulous, cautious, or afraid with this God. As John writes in his first letter: “In love there can be no fear, but fear is driven out by perfect love: because to fear is to expect punishment, and anyone who is afraid is still imperfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)