PARDONING BY GOD
Authorities of the world are very selective in who they pardon; but the Lord God is gracious in forgiving and pardoning whoever repent and believe in the sacrificial atoning blood of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:5-7; John 3:16). God says: “Let the wicked forsake his ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord…for he will freely pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).
THE LORD GOD PARDONED THE SINS OF KING DAVID
King David was called a man after God’s own heart. He had many wives; but he lusted for the wife of a man who had only one wife. The King used his position of power to summon the man’s wife to his bed so he could pleasure himself with her. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and discovered she was pregnant with his child, he arranged for her husband killed. (2 Samuel 12:2-17).
God sent his prophet Nathan to confront King David with the details of his dire sins against God. David, quickly acknowledged his sins and repented. God forgave David and pardoned him for his wicked deeds. God restored David to favor with God. (2 Samuel 11:2-17; 12:1-13).
GOD FORGAVE RIOTOUS LIVING OF A PRODIGAL SON
In the Bible a “Prodigal” son left a good home to go out into the world to have fun. Somehow, he got into “riotous living.” We might speculate if he went as far as committing major offenses like those of David, or only did what we might consider minor offenses. However, he reached a point where he was deeply disappointed with life. And he discovered that in general the world and its people are not loving and forgiving. He returned to his Father and said: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in you sight, and is no longer worthy to be called your son.” The Father forgave him for all his sins. (But his brother who stayed home, yet had the spirit of the world, was not willing to forgive the Prodigal son). (Luke 15:11-24-31).
GOD TREATS OUR SINS WITH GREAT LOVE AND COMPASSION
Although the world may see sins as major or minor, God sees all unforgiven wicked actions and unrighteous thoughts as potentially causing the sinner to be eternally punished and separated from God. The person who violates any part of God’s law is consider by God to be guilty of violating the whole law (James 2:10). All have violated God’s law and is worthy of eternal death (Romans 3:23; Rom. 6:23). But God demonstrated his great for love us in giving his only begotten Son, before the foundation of the world, to die to atone for our sins (John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:18-20; Revelation 13:8).
The Word of God says, because of the sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ, When we repent and confess our sins, and believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, God is faithful and just to pardon all unrighteousness; and free us to live in heaven with him forever (Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:8-9; John 3:16).
