Imitating God’s Forgiveness – Part 1
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).
The perfect standard for behavior is God, and the gospel exhorts all to be perfect as God is perfect. This entails that one imitate God as much as is possible. “Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1 ASV). We would do well to imitate God when it comes to forgiveness. Second Peter 3:9 says that God “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” In Ezekiel 18:32, we read the words of God, “’For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord GOD. ‘Therefore turn and live!’” This should be our attitude toward sinners also.
Even though God is very gracious, he places conditions upon forgiveness. The alien sinner (a non-Christian) must meet the condition of baptism to be forgiven (Acts 2:38, 22:16, Colossians 2:12-14). For the Christian who has been baptized but lapsed into sin, Peter said to Simon the Sorcerer, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22). Simon had to meet the condition of prayer to God to be forgiven.
Some, however, will not be forgiven. Those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit, by rejecting His word, will not be forgiven (Matthew 12:32). God refuses to forgive the individual who does not practice forgiveness himself (Matthew 6:15). The person who does not love and believe the truth will not be forgiven (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). The person who practices lawlessness will not be forgiven (Matthew 7:23). Those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel will not be forgiven (2 Thessalonians 1:8). So, God does not forgive everyone.
God bless you, and I love you. Kevin Cauley