FORGIVENESS, GOD’S MOST AWESOME WORK
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By Frank Tunstall, D. Min.
The punishment Jesus took on HIs Cross demonstrates that all people merit death. “There is not who doeth good, no not one” (Romans 3:10-12).
Jesus’ sacrifice in our place shows the heart of God because He can alwys be counted on to respond to repentance with gracious forgiveness. This is a fact fundamental to the character of God. The Psalmist David said the Lord has never forsaken those who seek Him (Psalm 9:10; John 6:37).
God has the answer to the plaintive cry of the heart: He can be counted on to meet repentance with forgiveness. Forgiveness, in fact, is God’s most awesome work. He cleanses man’s conscience and provides the solution to the great curse of guilt (Hebrews 9:14). Forgiveness is so completely in the DNA of God is His dealings with fallen mankind that God’s Son cried out amid the horrndous pain of His crucifixion, “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
God’s response to repentance with forgiveness is the superlative quality of Christian faith. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
This truth above all else explains why for two thousand years the Gospel has given people peace with God.
GOD FORGIVES.
His children are never more God-like than when they follow in His steps and practice forgiveness too.
Clara Booth, the founder of the American Red Cross, was reminded one day of a vicious deed someone had done to her years before. But she acted as if she had never heard of the incident.
“Don’t you remember it?” her friend asked.
“No” came the reply. “I distinctly remember forgetting it.”
That’s forgiveness!
