Entering Into God’s Presence

Knowing God Through His Works & Ways (VERBS)

God Forgives  

To Study and Ponder

• Jesus modeled forgiveness. There is never an account where he would not grant forgiveness to someone who sought it. In his mercy he does not wait until we approach him for forgiveness, but he takes the initiative to offer forgiveness to all who are willing to embrace it.

• He extended forgiveness to the sinful woman who washed His feet with her hair & tears. Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” Luke 7:47-50

• On the cross he said “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing”. Lu.23:34.

• Jesus taught about forgiveness. After teaching his disciples to pray, he said, “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins”. Matt.6:14-15. Refusing to forgive is NOT an option for us!

• The parable of the unforgiving servant. (Matt.18:21-35); story of the lost son. (Lu.15:11-24)

• Paul also teaches that we are to extend to others the forgiveness we received from Jesus:- Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 (Also Eph.4:31-32)

• Whereas we (like Moses) often tend to be quick to anger (wanting justice for wrongs done against us) and slow to show mercy, God makes it clear he is different.

• He reveals himself to Moses as: “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—Exodus 34:6-7

• He promises forgiveness to the repentant:- if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2Ch 7:14

• His promise of a new covenant shows his desire to provide a way of forgiveness. Je. 31:33-34

• Extending forgiveness to those who have hurt us does not mean what they did is OK, or that we immediately forget what they did. It is a decision we make to not hold them accountable and to release them into God’s hands - we need to ask Him to help us make this choice, to fill us with his love for the person and to heal our hearts. Children also need to know that forgiveness does not mean that they allow others to continue hurting them. http://www.truthforkids.com/forgiving-others

• Writers of the OT understood God to be forgiving and recorded their requests for forgiveness.

• Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight. ..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 (David) Ps 32:1,5

• Nehemiah 9:16-22 tells of Israel’s disobedience and sin, then says “you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love” v.17b

• Psalm 107 tells the story of Israel and how He forgave them, showing mercy over and over - the Psalmist gives repeated praise for “his great love” finishing with v.43 “Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the LORD”

• See also Psalm 25:11; 86:5; 103:2-5,11-12; 130:3-4.

• Forgiveness is at the core of the Gospel, made possible because Jesus became a man and died; without forgiveness we cannot be saved from death.

• ... because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. Hebrews 2:9b

• He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. Ephesians 1:7

• 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. 1John 1:9

• For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Col.1:13-14

• Jesus appeared to Saul with a message of forgiveness for him, and for Gentiles. Acts 26:17-18

Meditation/Memory:

Lower Grades: O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Psalm 86:5 (NLT)

... be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32b (NLT)

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)

Middle Grades: But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. Nehemiah 9:17b  (NLT)

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 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. 1 John 1:8-9 (NLT)

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

Upper Grades:  So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.  Ephesians 1:6-7  (NLT)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)