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The Meaning of Forgiveness, May 3
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth
by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth
not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
Micah 7:18
.
God’s forgiveness is not merely a judicial act by which He sets us
free from condemnation. It is not only forgiveness
for
sin but reclaim-
ing
from
sin. It is the outflow of redeeming love that transforms the
heart. David had the true conception of forgiveness when he prayed,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10
.
If you take even one step toward Him in repentance, He will hasten
to enfold you in His arms of infinite love. His ear is open to the cry of
the contrite soul. The very first reaching out of the heart after God is
known to Him. Never a prayer is offered, however faltering, never a tear
is shed, however secret, never a sincere desire after God is cherished,
however feeble, but the Spirit of God goes forth to meet it. Even before
the prayer is uttered or the yearning of the heart made known, grace
from Christ goes forth to meet the grace that is working upon the human
soul.
Your heavenly Father will take from you the garments defiled by
sin. In the beautiful parabolic prophecy of Zechariah, the high priest
Joshua, standing clothed in filthy garments before the angel of the Lord,
represents the sinner. And the word is spoken by the Lord, “Take
away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold,
I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee
with change of raiment.... So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and
clothed him with garments.”
Zechariah 3:4, 5
. Even so God will clothe
you with “the garments of salvation,” and cover you with “the robe of
righteousness.”
Isaiah 61:10
....
“If thou wilt walk in my ways,” He declares, “I will give thee places
to walk among these that stand by” (
Zechariah 3:7
)—even among the
holy angels that surround His throne.
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