The Cost of Forgiveness. Part [3] 01/12/2024 (Evening thought)

Isaiah 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

So, the fundamental understanding of forgiveness is that it will cost, some more, some less. Therefore, as the Lord contemplated the huge costs of forgiveness to billions, upon billions of people, it was necessary to create a sort of banking account as it were, so He could store much forgiveness for whenever we may need it.

This account never runs dry because it is centered in Christ, who went over, and beyond to make certain that any amount of forgiveness could be readily and easily deployed to any, and everyone who needs it. This concept of storing forgiveness for whoever may need it, can be found in the book of Exodus, where God says that he “Keeps” mercy for thousands.

And so said, so done, for as the sanctuary system of sacrificial offerings was instituted, God then made provision so that a constant, and a readily available supply of sheep, lambs, goats, and bullocks was on tap, for whenever and wherever forgiveness would be needed. This is the concept of God creating the “Storehouse” or bank account of forgiveness.

Exodus 34:6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

The Cost of Forgiveness. Part [2] 01/11/2024 (Morning thought)

1st Corinthians 6:6 But brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

Some persons may erroneously believe that forgiving someone should cost nothing. Basically, in a nutshell, not happening, for whenever someone is forgiven, the forgiver takes a hit, either financially, emotionally, socially, mentally, verbally, or even physically, but someway somehow, there is an impact to the forgiver. This fact we must now be permanently reconciled to. Over the holidays, several gifts were exchanged by friends and families, but all the items had to be paid for at Macy’s, Bloomingdales, or Nordstrom, as the case might be.

So, the gifts were free to those who received them, but the individuals who made the purchase had to pay. Similarly, if we are to forgive someone full and free as God does, we must be prepared to pay, or take a hit, in some form or fashion so that forgiveness can be offered, as it was through the person of Christ.

God did not leave forgiveness up to mere feelings as many of us do, but instead was strategic, deliberate, and intentional in making it available. The reason for this is that if persons were to leave forgiveness up to mere feelings, there will often be times when we do not feel to forgive. In fact, in most instances, feeling to forgive goes quite contrary to our natural grain.

Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry here, and watch with me. 39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!