ForgivenessSample

No Caveats in Forgiveness

I recently began reading a book that started by encouraging us that "to understand ourselves…we [need to] start with an understanding of our creator – His character and His purposes". This idea helps us understand today’s verse. When it comes to forgiveness we can feel lots of different things. Maybe it feels gut-wrenchingly difficult, other times it just feels annoying, sometimes it’s easier, and then maybe it feels unfair. And yet, when I read this verse I remember that I need to start by understanding who our Creator is and then that informs who I am, and it helps me a lot.

Our Creator, in Christ, has forgiven me. He’s forgiven you. There are no caveats. No conditions. In Christ, He has freely offered you forgiveness. God is also kind to us. He is tender-hearted. Our God truly cares when we hurt, struggle, and when we rejoice. God cares for us! We know this because He dealt with our struggle with sin, in His Son. We know this too when we look at our lives and the many ways He’s provided for and cared for us.

One of the great privileges of being a Christian is that as God’s children, we are His Image-bearers. We reflect Him to the world. No other part of Creation is told that it bears God’s Image! We are special. As His Image-bearers, it means that this verse should describe us too. It doesn’t mean that this is easy – but that we should be making every effort to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving of others as God has forgiven us. I know this can take time and so does God because He is kind and tender-hearted. He loves you. Take heart.

Written by KATIE SMITH