Divine Pardon

“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Matthew 6:12

Dear Ones:

Throughout Scripture we find the attempt by man to explain that which is of God.  Of course, the Lord Jesus is the Master Teacher in this regard, for not only does He give us the truth, but in essence, breathes upon it to make it alive to our hearts.  If ever there is to be a clear understanding of spiritual reality, with regard to the ways and nature of God, there must of necessity be the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ, and the revelation of the meaning of that truth, and how it applies to the life.

When the prophets had visions of that which was heavenly, they would seek to describe what they saw by using the word “like.”  They would take that which they knew of earth, and seek to use the physical to explain the spiritual.  The result is that we are faced with the reality that it is very hard to grasp the enormity, and profoundness, of that which is spiritual.  Indeed, without the Spirit of God, it is impossible.  This is so very true when we consider the issue of God’s pardon of man, the forgiveness of sin.  We are so apt to take that which we are familiar with, and apply it to this subject, without beginning with the truth of the Word of God.  The result is that the experience of the truth is limited, for it will only be realized in the life according to one’s understanding, and the appropriation of that truth, or reality.

When Jesus gave us the “Lord’s Prayer,” and said:  “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” He did not mean that we are asking God to forgive us in the measure, and according to the standard, of how WE forgive others.  Why?  Our natural standard of forgiveness, or pardon, is so very imperfect and flawed.  It is NOT of God, if we do not begin with God, and His truth.  For example, in the Old Testament, we find David praying, “Wash me THOROUGHLY from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” (Ps. 51:2)  In Isaiah 43, God speaks to Israel:  “I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will NOT remember thy sins.” (v.25)  What is it about God’s pardon that is so very different than our own?  It is that He, as the Alpha and Omega, the Creator and Redeemer, has the power and the authority to wash thoroughly, blot out transgressions, and forever forget them.  If men commit crimes, and are brought before a court, which will pass judgement and sentence the guilty person,  that person may be “forgiven” of his crimes by a higher power, a governor, or a president.  But the taint of the crime remains.  It also has been written down in a court registry, and filed away.  There may have been a commuting of the sentence, and the consequences of the crime may have been averted, but there remains the stain, the “remembrance,” and the residual effect.  This is not the case with the pardon of God.  It is first and foremost, an act of God.  He removes the judgement, removing not only the guilt for sin, but the very evidence, and remembrance of sin.  God has declared every aspect of that sin to be “blotted out.”  He has committed Himself to forget it, never to remember it again.  Not only this, but what the “court,” or judge could not do with regard to removing all trace of the sin, God does, and does so in such a manner that the sinner can forget, and accept the mercy and grace of God.  Such was the case of the Prodigal Son, who went away and squandered his inheritance in riotous living.  It was when he came back that, not only did the father receive him, but he showered him with blessings, the robe, the ring, and made a feast.  Why?  He wanted to make his wayward son to understand and believe that ALL was forgiven, forgotten, …a new day had begun.

Father, give us grace to forgive, and pardon others by the Spirit, according to Your standard of forgiveness. Enable us to accept and embrace Your pardon of our sins according to Your truth, and way. Then, we shall be free to truly “run,” to follow Thee, Lord Jesus, for You set the prisoner free.  We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Love, Dad