THE SOURCE OF FORGIVENESS
Psalm 103:1–13
If I were to meet you on the street and ask, “Who are you?” how would you respond? If you chose to oblige me, you would share your name.
However, your name is not who you are. I could continue by asking you about your shoe size, your place of employment, your church membership, your preferred grocery store and even your favorite color.
While all these pieces of information would guide me in knowing more about you, it would not reveal to me who you are.
When it comes to God, we may be able to share a substantial number of things about Him, but do we know Him for who He is? We can definitely attain more facts about God, but that is not the goal of the Bible or the ministry of Christ. We can walk away from a worship service or a Bible study with a head full of knowledge and an unchanged heart and mind.
The best way to know God is to personally recall how His attributes affect us. He is not only a God who forgives but also the God of forgiveness. He does not just give us love; He is love. To truly know God is to encounter Him and experience a new birth.
God blesses us in many ways, including forgiveness. (1–5)
When studying God’s Word, it is important to note themes or repeated words. When you read these verses, it is easy to see the repetition of the word “He,” pointing to the faithfulness and activities of God. The reader is encouraged to not forget the blessings of being a child of God.
These verses remind us that God forgives our sins, can heal our sickness, redeems us when we are discouraged, blesses us and gives us the ability to be a compassionate person. He is a good, gracious and forgiving Father.
God’s forgiveness is evident in how He treats His children. (6–8)
Not only is God awesome in His promises, but He is also equally incredible in His performance. There is no limit to the goodness of God and how He intervenes on behalf of His children.
Without His gifts of justice, compassion and grace, we would be a lost, desperate and hopeless group of people. Maybe the most precious thing we need to be reminded of is that God is slow to anger.
God does nothing out of spite or a knee-jerk reaction. His anger has a perfect and redeeming purpose. It is wise for us to consider our own times of anger and our intent.
We do not deserve forgiveness but God forgives completely. (9–13)
One day, someday, we will behold God fully. In that moment, the splendor of His love toward us and the power of His forgiveness will be more than we can comprehend. Each of us has the spiritual need to be forgiven and set free from the bondage of sin and temptation.
A forgiveness that is permanent and perpetual can only be given by a holy and loving God. Of course we do not deserve, nor could we ever earn, this type of forgiveness revealed in the eternal Person of Christ. My friend, if you are in Christ, you are forgiven. Be faithful in praising the One who made it possible.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
