THE REASON FOR FORGIVENESS
Isaiah 43:1–7, 21–25
One of the most rewarding yet challenging roles a person can fill is that of a parent. It is hard to put into words the joy a young mother or father feels when holding their newborn for the first time. Time seems to stand still and for a moment, everything feels perfect. I am convinced that most challenges in the local church would be less prevalent or more easily remedied if we had more stable, Christian homes. Of course, no family is perfect, but when parents are committed to Christ, they provide an uncompromising foundation grounded in eternal truth.
For each child, parents must decide the most effective means of discipline. I do not think there is a parent alive who, when asked “Why?” by their child, has not responded, “Because I said so, that’s why!”
Although that answer may seem sufficient to both parent and child, it fails to explore the logic behind a parent’s decisions. Have you ever stopped and contemplated why God chooses to forgive? Let’s take a look and be encouraged.
God redeems and forgives us because He loves us. (1–5a)
If you are leading your Bible study group with this lesson, take a sheet of paper and make two columns. Label one “I” and the other “You.” Go through the text and count how often those two words appear.
You will quickly realize that their repetition reveals the vast love God has for His children. God’s love is powerful and sufficient to save and sustain. The second part of verse 5 reads, “I am with you.” No promise in all of Scripture is greater than those words. He is with us in our best and worst moments and, because of His amazing love, still chooses to forgive us.
God created us for His glory and desires to bring us back to Himself. (5b–7)
God does not give up on us! In fact, it is estimated that 363,000 babies are born worldwide each day — about four every second. God, the Giver of life, wonderfully forms and knits people for His glory as potential worshippers.
We exist to glorify Him and reflect His grace, mercy and love. Forgiveness extends each of those attributes. Above all, we best represent Christ when we choose to forgive someone who has hurt us. When you forgive someone, you display your faith and God receives the glory.
God does not want us burdened with sin. (21–25)
Have you ever forgotten that God forgets? By that, I am referring to one of the most precious truths we discover in Scripture: When God forgives our sins, He remembers them no more.
His forgiveness is unconditional and never expires. God reminds us that He is worthy of praise and worship. Although worship requirements differ now from those in Isaiah’s time, the principle of sacrifice remains the same.
Our gratitude and humility, resulting from God’s forgiveness, are conveyed through worship. Your worship expresses your thankfulness for God’s goodness.
When you truly worship, the song selection, environment and those around you are secondary to the dominating truth that you are loved and redeemed by the heavenly Father. He chooses to forgive us because He loves us. Why does He love us? Because He said so, that’s why!
By Bobby McKay
Pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi
