The Awe of God Part 3

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"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." Luke 23:34

There have been two or three times in my life when it was especially hard for me to forgive. It took a little time and a lot of prayer. They were not times when an offense was committed directly against me, God has given me the grace to absorb that kind of pain and keep moving. Rather, they were times when a situation involved the hurt or attack of my family or the church; that’s when the game changed.

This brings me to the next Awe of God - GOD’S CAPACITY TO FORGIVE.

God watched as the Jews rejected His Son, Jesus. He watched while the Romans tortured and crucified Him. Yet, His Son made an unpredictable request, “Father forgive them, they know not what they do.” And do you know what? If they repented, He did.

Look around at the hideous and violent crimes against the most vulnerable, 

the unnecessary wars that are killing, maiming, and displacing hundreds of thousands from their homes and countries. And yet, God has the capacity to forgive any offense imagined in the mind of man. Only God can discern the human heart and offer forgiveness that saves and transforms.

I’m in Awe of a God that never loses His capacity to forgive and forget. Make no mistake – it is not because He’s weak or He elects to turn His head at what’s going on in the world. It’s because He chooses to forgive. 

The amazing truth is that His forgiveness is available to us – no matter the sin in our lives. Just as God is cognizant of the world’s sins and atrocities, He also knows each individual’s need for forgiveness and in His compassion stands ready to hear every heart of repentance, offering mercy and forgiveness which will transform your life. 

Lamentations 3:22 - It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.