God is Forgiving
Forgive: to grant relief from payment; to pardon
Divine forgiveness: God’s restoration of relationship
that entails the removal of guilt
When my granddaughter was younger, she was at my home and had done something that she knew was wrong. She was upset. I felt that I needed to take her aside and talk with her. As I sat with her she was tearful and in agony, bearing the heavy weight of guilt. Hoping I could encourage her to ask for forgiveness, I told her to go to the person and say, “I’m sorry.” Now she was sobbing and she cried out, “I can’t say I’m sorry! I can’t! It’s too hard!!”
Have you ever been there? I have. It seems that there are times when it is easier to feel guilty than to ask forgiveness. The importance of acknowledging our sin, confessing it to God and repenting (turning away from sin) is essential. We read in Isaiah 59:2 (NLT) “It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” God promises in 1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” All He asks is that we confess our sin – that we agree with what God already knows.
Not only does God forgive our sin, He chooses to forget our sin. We receive this assurance from God’s Word in Isaiah 43:25 (NIV) “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more”. God forgives – for His own sake. Why? Because He has paid the penalty for our sin. Because He desires a relationship with us.
Recently I saw a post on Facebook that read, “I forgive you. Forget you. The end.” These were the closing lyrics of a song entitled Dear Agony. As I thought about those words I realized two things. Humanly, words of forgiveness may end a relationship. Although the words are spoken, seeds of bitterness may still find fertile soil leaving no desire to continue a relationship, only leaving emptiness and pain.
But with God, forgiveness is not the end, but the beginning of a relationship. The sin, not the person is forgotten. Justice has been served by the One who forgives through the blood of Jesus Christ. No more shame, blame or guilt. Unlike those under the law who were required to follow strict rules as they offered sacrifices to cover their sin, we live under grace, that undeserved favor, which allows us to confess and repent of our sins and receive forgiveness. As we turn away from our sin, the result is healing and an overwhelming sense of love and gratitude to the One who forgives. No longer do we avoid being in God’s presence. No longer do we hear the whispers of the enemy that we are unforgiveable.
Now we are filled with peace and assurance that is described in Psalm 32:4-6 (NLT) “Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.”
There is no sin so great that the blood of Jesus is not sufficient to wash our soul clean. We must only be obedient to confess our sin to Him and receive the forgiveness that He freely offers. When forgiven, we must choose to take off the cloak of guilt that the enemy would have us wear and rejoice in the newness of life that we receive.
“I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness.” Isaiah 61:10a (NLT)
Just as we have been forgiven, may forgiveness become the beginning, the restoration of relationships and may we offer the gift of grace that has been given to us. Holy, righteous God has given us the example. God is forgiving.
“Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear (be filled with awe, reverence and respect for) you.” Psalm 130:3-4 (NLT)
I am so thankful that He is so forgiving. In turn we need to be more forgiving toward others.