From the Merriam-Webster dictionary, forgiveness means to stop feeling resentment against an offender; to give it up or grant relief from the payment due. Every person born has to be forgiven by God. Sin runs deep within the veins of the human race, and the only way for God to forgive you is to receive the sacrifice of Jesus Christ; see John 3:16-17, Romans 5:8, and Hebrews 9:12. He must become your Savior and Lord. You must truly understand that your sins cut you off from God, and the only way back is to believe what Christ did for you and follow the Holy Spirit. You learn how to trust God and walk in obedience by studying the Bible and changing your life so you come into agreement with God in what He says about you.
He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30
In Isaiah 57, you see a clear picture of God’s forgiving heart. He truly exhibits mercy and grace! None of us come close to how God forgives His children. We are called to show the same kind of forgiveness, but we simply cannot do it on our own. You and I need God to help us. The traits of a forgiving heart that you see in these verses are not within our own power. You and I need God.
Verses 3-13 are a somber reminder of our sinful nature. You read how people are full of themselves. Those that choose to live unfaithful to God and turn away from Him are rebellious in His eyes. They are known as adulterers. They love the things in this world more than Jesus Christ. They live each day forgetting that God is with them. While unbelievers think that God can’t hear or see, He will expose their sins and hypocrisy.
BUT, in verse 13, you see the trait of the Sovereign God’s forgiving heart towards those who trust Him! He promises that you will inherit the land and possess His holy mountain. While your sins must be removed, He will refill you with all that is of Himself! He is the God who offers a second chance.
God’s forgiveness brings you to the most intimate place of love, grace, and mercy. You are greeted and adored and loved by God Himself. He does not see your sins any longer. He can be close to you for you have been redeemed by His Son. He removes all hindrances so you can live freely in His presence; accepted and free! There is nothing on this earth that can replicate God’s forgiving heart.
Verses 14-21 reveal other traits of the Sovereign God’s forgiving heart. When you turn from your sins and repent (meaning you are acknowledging your inability to get close to God and you desire to get close), and receive what Christ did for you on the cross, God removes all the barriers caused by sin and allows you to be in His presence.
A rebuilding of your life needs to take place. A clearing away of sinful living must happen. You need to make room for God to inhabit every part of you. In sin, you were held captive by the ruler of this world. Now, God is in charge and He helps you to break your rebellious tendencies as He softens your heart towards Him. This is known as His sanctification process. Every believer walking the narrow road to heaven must go through it.
While in the refiner’s fire or out in the wilderness, as the Bible often refers to in the rebuilding process, God restores the crushed spirit of the humble and revives the courage of those with repentant hearts; see verse 15. You are never cared for more than when you are becoming more and more like Christ. You are never loved more than when you are willing to forsake your sins for His Kingdom.
God sees what every person does. He knows every heart; see 1 Chronicles 28:9. If you choose to be greedy and ignore God, He will withdraw from you. BUT, look at verses 18-19, you read 5 traits of a forgiving heart:
TRAIT 1 – He will heal you anyway.
TRAIT 2 – He will lead you.
TRAIT 3 – When you mourn, He will comfort you.
TRAIT 4 – God will help you to praise Him.
TRAIT 5 – May you have abundant peace.
There is no one on this earth that is willing to do this and so much more for you and me than our Holy God! His love in indescribable. His mercy is beyond words. His grace is unfathomable. Yet, this is who He is. His deepest desire is for you and me to turn from our sinful ways and follow after Him. He wants us to go home to Him one day where we each hear, “Well done, my faithful servant.” It will grieve His heart if He has to tell you, “I don’t know you.” Look at Matthew 7:21-23 for insight. This will be a reality for many, may it not be for you.
I will end it with this scripture, 1 Chronicles 28:9-10, “Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him. But if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The LORD has chosen you to build a Temple as His sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.”
Carol J German 