Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
(Micah 7:18-19 KJV)
Unfortunately, humankind does not pardon iniquity easily. We can hold a grudge forever and in doing so we bring about even more iniquity. We usually cause more iniquity; we often sin when we are angry or hurt.
Jesus tells us to love one another and not to hate even those who persecute you.
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."
(Matt 5:44-45)
The Lord desires that we should forgive one another. But, we are not required to stay in situation or relationships that will provoke us to continue to live in a sinful manner. St. Paul wrote to the Romans:
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." (Rom 16:17)
Micah tells us that God will subdue our iniquities. If God will do that for us; if God will forgive us our sins; why would we walk right back into that which inspires us to sin? Daniel could walk into a lions den and live. You and I should most probably not try that if we want to live. We should not test God.
When the devil took Jesus up and set him on a pinnacle of the temple he told Jesus that if he really were the Son of God then he should jump and God will send His angels to save him.
If the very Son of God would not test his Father in heaven, neither should we.
Yet, when we do test God by going against His will, God is willing and able to pardon our iniquities. Unlike us, God does not retain his anger forever. Unlike us, He is always ready to be merciful.
Forgive one another; but, try to stay out of situations that will require you to receive forgiveness yourself later. It will make life a whole lot easier to live.
May the God of mercy, subdue our iniquities and forgive us all of our sins.
God's Peace - Pr. J.
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