Forgiveness & Grace

We Must Forgive Freely as We Have Been Forgiven

The psalmist writes in Psalm 103:12-13; As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

Only God can forgive our infinite debt, and He does so when we trust in Christ, confessing and forsaking our sins (1 John1:8-9). And it is because of this that we should also freely extend forgiveness to others when asked for our pardon. If we are not a forgiving people, we have not understood the true nature of our debt and have not adequately grasped our need of salvation. When Peter asked how often should he forgive those who have sinned against him, our Lord told a parable in which a master forgives a servant who owed him a debt of ten thousand talents (Matthew 18:21-27). The servant had no hope of ever paying off his debt. Because God has forgiven us so freely, we must likewise forgive. 

Lord, I come to you today with a humble heart. May you forgive me when I sin against You and fall short of your glory. Help me to be forgiving when others have sinned against me. Help me to freely extend the same forgiveness that I have been given to others. For you are a loving God and have shown the depth of your mercy. O, bless the lORD, O my soul, and all that is within me bless Your holy name! For you know my frame and remember that I am dust. It is in the precious name of Jesus Christ my LORD and my Savior that I lift my voice in worship this day. May it be a pleasing sound to your ears.