Forgiveness

TEXT:

‘But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered’ – Psalm 130:4 NRSV

THOUGHT:

Many people misunderstand a Christian’s assurance of heaven and eternal life, mistaking it for arrogance and spiritual pride. Christians are not perfect, just forgiven! We need to remember Heaven is God’s place. He makes the rules concerning entry, regardless of whether we agree with them. He has decided that repentance and forgiveness are the sole criteria for getting there, so that He can include everyone and exclude none. It’s not God’s fault if we choose another route that leads to exclusion, especially if we are expecting our own good works to be good enough. The role of the church and Christians is to ensure that everyone knows about the right way. Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ¹ Psalm 130 reveals some very important truths about God’s forgiveness and how it influences our lives.

• Anyone can experience “sinking” times and depression – ‘Out of the depths I have cried to you’

Christians are not immune to “down” times, especially over personal faults and failures, but should have a better chance of getting out of them than those with no personal faith.

• However low you may feel you have sunk, you can still pray to the Lord – ‘Lord, hear my voice’

Some hesitate to pray, if spiritual or physical weakness hits them. They think they have to sort everything out before they can call on the Lord. The Bible shows the opposite is true. Anyone, anywhere, at any time can call on the Lord for help. God wants to be a ‘present help in the time of trouble.’ ²

• God knows when we sin but He is not looking to use that as an opportunity to punish us – ‘If you Lord should mark iniquities, O lord, who could stand’

My school homework was often returned with red marks over it, indicating what I had got wrong. How have you done today as a Christian? Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother. He felt up to seven times was more than enough. Jesus replied, “Seventy times seven.” ³ In other words, do not stop forgiving whether there is an apology or not. If God asks us to act like that, will He be anything less? The prodigal returning home received a welcome from his father he never could have imagined, but his older brother found it much more difficult to forgive. ⁴ He wanted to dwell on the sin but his father wanted to enjoy his son again. So does God!

• Forgiveness is a grace that needs to be experienced – ‘But there is forgiveness with You’

At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon prayed this prayer^, ‘When the people realise their sin and pray toward this Temple, hear them from heaven and forgive and answer all who have made an honest confession; for you know each heart.’ ⁵ God assured Solomon that He had heard that prayer and would respond with forgiveness to anyone who prayed to Him on that basis, whenever and wherever they were in the world. God has since made a better promise concerning Jesus. Anyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven – past, present and future!

• Forgiveness is not there to be abused – ‘That You may be feared (reverenced)’

We cannot have a close relationship with God if we sin wilfully, regardless of the consequences. Paul had to correct the Roman Christians over this, ‘Shall we keep on sinning so that God can keep on showing us more and more kindness and forgiveness? Of course not!’ ⁶ Grace is not a licence to sin, but the promise of forgiveness when we do. It should then produce love and reverence. We love Him because He first loved us. God is the initiator. ‘The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshipping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence].’ ⁷ Godly reverence will always point us in the right direction, making us want to do the things which please God. The Bible instructs us to, ‘Put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language….. Put on: love, tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering…’ ⁸ 

True Christianity is an inward change that shows itself outwardly in a way that glorifies God.

 

1 – John 14:6               2 – Psalm 46:1             3 – Matthew 18:21-22                        4 – Luke 15:11-32

5 – 1 Kings 8:38-39    6 – Roman 6:1-2 Living Bible    7 – Proverbs 9:10 Amplified Bible

8 – Colossians 3:8,12