Psalm 103:
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
These are some of the greatest words for our desperate human beings to receive into our hearts. These are also a good definition of what God’s forgiveness is all about. There are many times in my life when I desperately need to hear these words. We see two sides of the same coin: forgiveness and love. God forgives because God loves. If we received what we deserve, not only do we face judgment but also life without God’s love and presence. To reject God’s offer of forgiveness leads to a life devoid of his presence and love. Two great phrases to receive from God: I forgive you and I love you. These two concepts are wrapped up in the cross-event: Forgive them for they know not what they do, and no greater love has anyone but that he lay down his life for his friends.
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