God Forgives for His Sake

Read Isaiah 43
 
Isaiah 43:25 “I, yes, I alone will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.”
 
ARE you surprised God says, “I will blot out your sins for my own sake.”
    I believe every time we think of God’s forgiveness, we consider our point-of-view, “God has forgiven me, and I am free from that sin.” Is that not why John 3:16 is a verse we are eager to speak? Those words are an expression of the Almighty’s love gift to forgive you into eternal life. You rejoice to know: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
    Yes, God has done this. But it’s not all about you; it is also for God’s sake. For the sake – the purpose –  of his love, God has acted to give you into eternal life.    
    As God reminds Israel he has chosen them from among all other nations, we must keep in mind he has done so to ultimately restore Eden to the earth. He initiates and fulfills the forgiveness of sins on his chosen people throughout the world, so sinners become his children. In Christ, you are one “who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” (verse 7) In response, his soul-transforming love and forgiveness redeems your heart to love God. This fulfills God’s sake – his purpose – of his heavenly kingdom. God forgives you for your purpose to love God and love others. He forgives you for his purpose to welcome you home.
    In response, remember God’s words to Israel: “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.” Because “even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.” (Isaiah 43:10-11)
    Witness God to the world for their sake and his. Know, believe and understand God. Rejoice your Lord loves you so deeply he has forgiven you for his eternal purpose.
 
Pause and Consider: as you forgive others, you are doing so for God’s sake.