As the Lord Forgave You
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13
This verse commands us to treat each other with grace and kindness; to “forgive as the Lord forgave you.” So, let’s look at how the Lord forgives us.
The Lord forgives us fully and lovingly. It is his desire to forgive and to show grace and mercy to those who turn to him. “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.” (Psalm 103:10-12)
God’s forgiveness is complete, permanent, and motivated by compassion. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:13-14)
And God’s forgiveness is never withheld from those who repent; whenever we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” To “purify” us, literally means to cleanse or wash away the stain of our sin so that it’s no longer seen; it’s gone and forgotten.
How does God forgive us? With love, compassion, grace, mercy, and faithfulness. We never need to fear that he’ll say ‘no’ when we genuinely seek his forgiveness. May God help us to follow his command and treat one another with the same attitude of forgiveness.
Have you experienced God’s forgiveness? Do you extend the same heartfelt forgiveness to others?
Having begun as a guest speaker in 2005, Dan was appointed Interim Pastor in 2008 and has been serving Maple Root Baptist ever since. As a small group leader and Chaplin for the Connecticut Tigers, Dan has a heart for the lost and the God that saves them.