An Illustration of God’s Forgiveness

Posted on August 18, 2015 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

An Illustration of the Forgiveness of God

In dealing with addiction, we have many illustrations of the forgiveness of God. There have been times when you will see a man in addiction for years, then he commits himself to help, and on visit day the children run into his arms as if nothing ever happen. “It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” (Luke 15:32) Testimonies of Jesus in the midst of recovery are prevalent in the field that I’m in, and I could use many of those illustrations. 

But I want to tell you a real personal assessment of an illustration the forgiveness of God. Early in my marriage I didn’t understand completely why things weren’t as easy as I assumed. I thought I was a good Christian, a nice friend, a productive member of society; marriage should be a piece of cake. It was the total opposite, it was hard, it was work and I wasn’t the nicest guy about all the changes.

Bitterness grew into resentment, resentment into a hardened heart and I became the husband that I despised seeing growing up. It was a nightmare, after speaking and treating my wife poorly I went to work broken and disguised. I thought this was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. After a few days of separation, which it was agreed, I went home broken and walked through the door. Instead being met with papers, mean attitude, or verbal assault, my wife ran my bath water. She began to tell me that her love for God means loving me through good and bad times. She reminded me that God didn’t tell her that she was only to love me when I’m being a good Christian.

That experience totally changed my life, and my perception of the forgiveness of God. I knew in my heart I didn’t deserve that treatment and that his loves extends past my behavior. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9) Chaplain Juan Mendez serves at the Colony of Mercy. He is also a graduate of the Colony. You can write him at jmendez@americaskeswick.org.

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 100-102; Galatians 3

Think About This: There is an essential difference between the decease of the godly and the death of the ungodly. Death comes to the ungodly man as a penal infliction, but to the righteous as a summons to his Father’s palace. To the sinner it is an execution, to the saint an undressing from his sins and infirmities. Death to the wicked is the King of terrors. Death to the saint is the end of terrors, the commencement of glory. Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Psalm 143:8