Radical, foolish forgiveness
This morning I read in the Psalms one of the most amazing statements, "When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us, your forgive our transgressions." Psalm 65:3. A few things amaze me about this statement from David.
First. Unconditional. The forgiveness is not preidcated, nor is it preceeded by confession. The "we" weren't focused on God at all, nor motivated to confess sin...they were overwhelmed by sin. They were caught up in transgression. In that moment, God's forgiveness happens. It reminds me of the alcoholic still drinking, or the drug addict still using, or the person doing violence with words...God doesn't wait for us to clean up our words, get sober, or clean before forgiveness is granted. God's disposition toward his people is one of utter compassion, grace, and love to all of us who daily are "overwhelmed" by sin.
This is radical grace. You might say, "But don't they need to confess their sin?" Yes, as a means of healing and a pathway towards a better life. But if we think confession is a doorway we must go through to get to God's forgiveness, we are mistaken. In other words, our confession does not motivate God to forgive us. It is the other way around. God's forgiveness motivates us to confess our sinfulness.
Second. Present tense. The translation is in present tense. David understood that God's forgiveness is a moment to moment deal. It isn't only a past tense sentimental gratefulness, nor is it a future hope. God's forgiveness is here and now. As I write. As you read. God's forgiveness and grace is present now.
Third. Jesus. From the cross Jesus uttered the words, "Father forgive them because they don't know what they are doing." Those who crucified the Lord were overwhelmed by a sin that drove them to murder an innocent man...to push him out of the world because he was getting too close to usurping their power and authority. In that moment, as the Romans and Jews leaders looked on as Jesus' died, God's forgiveness was present for them. Did they know that? Probably not. Jesus was verbalizing the reality of God's heart in that moment. Did they understand the impact of Jesus' words? Who knows. It doesn't really matter. Knowing and acknowledging forgiveness does not make it effective. God's forgiveness effective on its own. God forgives and forgives and forgives whether we like it or not.
First. Unconditional. The forgiveness is not preidcated, nor is it preceeded by confession. The "we" weren't focused on God at all, nor motivated to confess sin...they were overwhelmed by sin. They were caught up in transgression. In that moment, God's forgiveness happens. It reminds me of the alcoholic still drinking, or the drug addict still using, or the person doing violence with words...God doesn't wait for us to clean up our words, get sober, or clean before forgiveness is granted. God's disposition toward his people is one of utter compassion, grace, and love to all of us who daily are "overwhelmed" by sin.
This is radical grace. You might say, "But don't they need to confess their sin?" Yes, as a means of healing and a pathway towards a better life. But if we think confession is a doorway we must go through to get to God's forgiveness, we are mistaken. In other words, our confession does not motivate God to forgive us. It is the other way around. God's forgiveness motivates us to confess our sinfulness.
Second. Present tense. The translation is in present tense. David understood that God's forgiveness is a moment to moment deal. It isn't only a past tense sentimental gratefulness, nor is it a future hope. God's forgiveness is here and now. As I write. As you read. God's forgiveness and grace is present now.
Third. Jesus. From the cross Jesus uttered the words, "Father forgive them because they don't know what they are doing." Those who crucified the Lord were overwhelmed by a sin that drove them to murder an innocent man...to push him out of the world because he was getting too close to usurping their power and authority. In that moment, as the Romans and Jews leaders looked on as Jesus' died, God's forgiveness was present for them. Did they know that? Probably not. Jesus was verbalizing the reality of God's heart in that moment. Did they understand the impact of Jesus' words? Who knows. It doesn't really matter. Knowing and acknowledging forgiveness does not make it effective. God's forgiveness effective on its own. God forgives and forgives and forgives whether we like it or not.
posted by Mike Weaver at 11:42 AM
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