Monday, January 12, 2026

             Forgiveness is a hopeful word.  It represents the possibility of a new start.  It helps us to think about forgetting the offenses of others and putting aside the past.  We have all needed forgiveness from someone at times.  We have all had forgiveness that we could offer to someone too.  We all stand in need of forgiveness from God.  God’s forgiveness sets us free from sin’s guilt and penalty.  In Romans 4:7-8, Paul wrote, “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
            A few things about forgiveness stand out for us to see.  First, to be forgiven is a blessing.  Twice, Paul used the word “blessed.”  We are blessed to be forgiven and blessed to be confident of God’s forgiveness.  The one thing we need most from God is forgiveness.  And forgiveness is what Christ brought into the world for sinful and fallen people.  The mission of Christ is a simple one—He came to save sinners.  We can be thankful that God is loving, gracious and forgiving.  He does not harbor resentment against us.
            Second, forgiveness comes from God.  We cannot forgive our sins or the sins of others but God surely can.  God is greater than our sins.  And His grace is greater than all our sins.  On most smartphones you can find an app for almost anything you need to do—directions, finances, entertainment, social media, etc.  God has grace for all sin and every sin.  No sin is too small or too big to be taken to God and confessed to Him in exchange for His grace.  God sets the example for forgiveness—an example that we are directed to follow and apply in our lives.
            Third, when the Lord forgives our sins, He no longer counts them against us or holds them against.  They are forgiven and erased from our ledger.  They are no longer debts that we have accumulated against God.  Psalm 103:9-12 says, “He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”  It is an indescribable blessing to know that God has scattered our sins as far as the east is from the west!  As far as one horizon is from another, God has scattered our sins away.
            Fourth, Romans 4 speaks of forgiveness in the present tense.  The well of God’s forgiveness and grace is deep.  His forgiveness covers our sins past, present and future. His grace is unfailingly sufficient.  There is never a time when God decided a sin is too much to handle or too bothersome to address.  We can approach God here, now and every day to be forgiven.  We are justified or declared not guilty of our sins based upon our faith in Christ Jesus and His work at the cross.
            Finally, we take great joy in knowing that God does not harbor our sins against us and revisit them at a later time.  God does not count our sins against us because He forgives them and chooses not to remember them.  He does not bring them up repeatedly or whenever He conveniently needs to make a point with us.  Psalm 103 says to us, “for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.”  God knows our fallen and sinful nature better than anyone—even better than we know ourselves.  Though we are dust, we are blessed when our Lord chooses to forgive our sins and not to entertain even the mere thought of them for one second longer.  There is a lesson there for how we are to forgive others.
            Perhaps today you take time to search your heart to see if you need forgiveness.  Perhaps knowing that God has forgiven you gives you the courage to forgive others or to receive forgiveness that others have offered to you.  God’s forgiveness of us makes it easier for us to forgive others.  Our faith in God’s forgiveness is our assurance of our place with Him when life on earth ends for us.  God keeps His promises to forgive, to make right and to call His people to be with Him forever.  Eternity rests upon God’s forgiveness of us. And that forgiveness is ours through Christ.  Have a great Monday!