Let’s settle one misunderstood concept of God’s forgiveness: It does not absolve the forgiven of the consequences for sins.
“Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” Then the Lord said: “I have pardoned, according to your word; but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord— because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it.”
Numbers 14:19-23 NKJV
The punishment for the sin, even though pardoned, was wandering in the wilderness for forty years until the complainers had died off. The plan of God was that they all enter the promised land, but murmuring and complaining thwarted that plan.
God is always just, always compassionate, always merciful, always kind, always loving, always faithful and forgiving, but He’s always Holy.
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” Psalms 103:8-14 NKJV
That’s something we’ll never fully understand. No matter how hard the consequences, we’re still not experiencing the full force of what our sins deserved. Only one person felt that, Jesus, And He was completely innocent of any wrongdoing. Notice also that forgiveness is reserved for those who fear(reverence) Him. People who flaunt their sins and raise their voices and fist to Him as though they’re on a level playing field with God are just ignorant. Thank God for mercy! He remembers that we’re dust. I’ll share an insight into God’s forgiveness that I read that’s in line with the Psalm. What comfort these words brought to my heart.
When it comes to forgiveness, God doesn't just withhold His anger when He forgives us. He separates us from our transgressions. He uses a beautiful image of removing our offense from us as far from the east is from the west. It's a poetic way of saying that when God forgives, He places an infinite gulf between our wrongdoing and us. Jesusfilm.org
Isn’t that a beautiful understanding of God’s forgiveness? Who wouldn’t want to fear a God like that? When you think of the wrath of other religions and their gods it makes me appreciate Him even more. Have you ever heard a Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist speak about the love their god has for them? I’ve never heard of it. I hear a lot about the rules and regulations but not love. Our God loves unconditionally. Forgives mercifully and cares deeply for His children. Psalm 30:5
He offers forgiveness that cleanses. That’s the whole purpose of salvation through Jesus Christ. It doesn’t leave us the way it finds us. He invites us to present our reasonings, doubts and concerns into the realm of His forgiveness. We’re not in the dark about what awaits us when we surrender to Him. Can you imagine being in a religion of uncertainty, where you’re never sure if you’re doing enough to earn acceptance? Salvation and forgiveness through the finished work of Jesus Christ leaves no room for uncertainty. Because our salvation is not based on our works but His. He initiated it and completed it. Our only response is accepting His terms. Wow! What an awesome proposition. Who would refuse this offer?
“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 1:18-20 NKJV
This extended hand of mercy and forgiveness came after God’s people had rebelled in the worst possible way. Yet you hear His pleading heart of forgiveness. He has always given us choices, while faithful to show us the contrasting outcomes. What a wonderful Savior. Only He can wipe our slates clean. You can believe Him when He promises never to remember our confessed sins. He never brings them back up. He doesn’t hold it over our heads. There’s no penance. All’s forgiven and forgotten. Need proof?
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.”
Isaiah 43:25 NKJV
He didn’t do it for us but in spite of us. He knows we’re fickle. So He forgives for His own sake. Wow! Condemnation is not from Him, but conviction is. He doesn’t want us living a lie, so He’ll correct errors in our lives through His Word. Our sins condemn us, His grace, mercy and forgiveness restore us. He invites us to forsake our old ways of living and walk in the forgiveness only He can offer. It is dangerous for people to expect a Holy God to forgive behavior that they have no intention of giving up. We have to forsake old behaviors that stand in the way of our total forgiveness.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”
Isaiah 55:6-7 NKJV
“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. We have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.”
Daniel 9:9-10 NKJV
Listen to these beautiful words from Micah, God’s forgiveness is abounding, packed with mercy and love. If we truly understood His heart and how much He truly loves us, we’d run towards Him. Nothing we’re doing or trusting in comes close to offering the freedom His forgiveness brings to our lives. I pray you’re reading this message with an open heart. No one can offer you what He does. Sin is designed to destroy you eternally. His forgiveness is designed to give you life eternally. It’s a no-brainer, but it’s a choice. He will never coerce your decision. That’s how much He loves you. Love cannot be forced, it must be given and received freely. Forgiveness isn’t forced, it's received the same way. But it’s the one thing He will not compromise on. Why? It costs His Son an awful lot to accomplish for us.
“Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19 NKJV
Here’s another great insight into Micah’s observation that is in line with what I mentioned about other religions and their gods:
The idea that any deity would delight in showing mercy would sound crazy to people who served gods of anger, retribution, or even apathetic disinterest. In contrast to the other deities of the region, Israel served a God who found joy in demonstrating forgiveness. Jesus film.org
Micah was making a contrast between the gods of the nations around them that his people had turned away from the true God to serve. We too have made gods of our own-Fame, fortune, money, influential people, government and party affiliation. We have become in a sense our own gods, doing what’s right in our own eyes. Defying the Lord and all He stands for. But there’s still time to turn around before it’s too late. The forgiveness of God is still available to those who desire to be cleansed with the sacred blood of Jesus Christ.
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”
Ephesians 1:7 NKJV
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.”
I Timothy 1:15-16 NKJV
Our sin is no match for His forgiveness. No one knew this better than the apostle Paul. But he said he was shown mercy so others like him would see that God is no respecter of persons. We have a level playing field at the foot of the cross. We’re all sinners until we receive His forgiveness.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” I John 1:8-10 NKJV
I’ll close with these words I learned from someone I consider a spiritual mentor. To understand God’s forgiveness we need to know what is freely given to us in this beautiful exchange.
“When you are estranged from God, forgiveness brings reconciliation.
When you’ve been indicted, forgiveness brings justification.
When you’ve been polluted by sin, forgiveness brings cleansing.
When you’re sick physically or emotionally, forgiveness brings healing.
When your way has been obstructed, forgiveness brings clearing and clarity.”JDM
Forgiveness is deliverance from sin. And only One person qualifies as the Deliverer: God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit. Choose wisely, your eternal soul is dependent on your choice.🙏
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
September 28, 2021
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