The Forgiveness of God
As my toddler Ian is growing up, he sometimes makes reckless choices, such climbing trees or playing with dangerous items, often doing things I have repeatedly told him not to do. That is when it’s time to discipline. I use time-out, which he really dislikes.
Recently after a time-out session, he asked me a question that wrecked my heart: “Mommy, do you forgive me? Mommy, do you still love me?” Our kids certainly know how to get to our hearts, don’t they?
I always answer quickly as I never want him to doubt my unconditional forgiveness and love for him. “Of course, Ian, I love you and will always love you. There is nothing you will ever do to make me love you less. It is because I love you that I discipline you so that I can protect you from the consequences of your actions.”
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” Psalm 103:12 (NLT). This is what our Heavenly Father is telling us today about His amazing forgiveness and love. There is no sin too great that can separate us from the love of the Father.
I love Paul's statements in Romans 8:35 (Passion Translation): “Who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one and nothing! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love.”
My prayer is that you and I will have that unshakable confidence today and forever that God has forgiven you from all your sins past, present and future, and that He loves you unconditionally. It does not matter what your life looks like, or the questions you might still have, or the pain you have lived through because of past sins/mistakes, believe that Yahweh is always for you. He has forgiven you and will always love you. He died for you to show you that love!
by Marie Ange Tagne