June 29, 2011 God Forgives for His Sake

God Forgives for His Sake
Read Isaiah 42 - 44

Isa 43:25 “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.”

GOD SAYS something very special here. Do you see it? “I will blot out your sins for my own sake.”
I believe every time we think of God’s forgiveness, we think of it from our point of view. “God has forgiven me, and I am free from that sin.” Yes, it is a wonderful gift!
But something even more amazing occurs when God forgives. He forgives you and me for his sake. What does that mean?
First it means that God’s forgiveness shows you his extreme love, ready to give himself to you. Witness Jesus to the cross. Think of that deep love and desire to forgive, and you will indeed see God’s extreme love.
Second, God forgives to draw people to him. News gets around. God’s forgiveness will be known in his nation during Isaiah’s time, and it will eventually become known throughout the world. Christians are everywhere! When we forgive, God is exalted, lifted high in the minds of those who see his great work. “God makes himself famous,” one commentator said. And people want to know him, to answer, “Can I trust his forgiveness?”
God’s love says, “Yes, you can!” You are forgiven. You and others see God’s love and forgiveness. God is worshiped. God’s forgiveness is indeed for you—and for Him.


Pause and Consider: how your forgiveness of someone is what God has done for you. When you forgive, it’s about God, too.