A God Who Forgives!

And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.  Luke 15:11-24

God is under no obligation to mankind. As Creator, Lord, and sovereign Judge, He can make any decision He desires which conforms to His holy character. Thus, when man sinned and incurred His judgement, God could have closed down planet Earth and annihilated man. But He did not, and that is what makes forgiveness so amazing.

He is a God of unconditional love. His love for man cannot be cancelled by our rejection, unbelief, or disdain. He loves us with an everlasting love, and He has demonstrated that love through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus.

Our Lord is a God of amazing grace which means He bestows His goodness upon us despite our unworthiness. Grace means God gives and gives and gives without ceasing. Salvation is the noblest gift of that grace.

He is a God of infinite mercy. While His grace gives us what we do not deserve, His mercy withholds what we do deserve. Because of the cross, God is merciful to man, refusing to treat us according to our sins.

Forgiveness flows from the heart of a loving, merciful, and gracious Father Who patiently seeks to bring the lost into His waiting arms.

“...Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting...”
Psalm 138:8