I was talking with a friend today about God’s forgiveness, and he posed the argument, “I don’t understand how a guy can run around his whole life, livin like the devil, drinkin and doin drugs, breakin up marriages and all that stuff, and he can lay on his deathbed and still be forgiven. How can he can live like that and at the last second, say a prayer and he’s good? I don’t like that at all. He should have to do some penance and try to make it up to people first.”
Now that is a common question, and an understandable one, especially when he admitted he was the victim of this guy’s misdeeds.
So I explained that he was looking from a human perspective, and it’s hard for us to grasp the love of God. Then I told him that he could understand it better by asking himself how much God has forgiven him of his own sins? (He is guilty of a pretty rowdy lifestyle himself) Immediately he got defensive and shouted incredulously, “Forgive me for what? I ain’t done nuthin!”
Here we have the problem exposed. This poor guy never understood what a complete and utter failure he really is. Jesus said that he who has been forgiven much, the same loves much. (Luke 7) If you don’t think you’re all that bad, and you only look to Jesus to make up for those few areas you fall short, well then you won’t love Him or others all that much.
I was speaking to the older brother of the prodigal son. He had no desire to see someone else receive forgiveness and restoration. He wanted to see judgment.
Jesus also warned us to be careful what kind of judgment we use, for that same judgement we use will be measured back to us. (Matt 7:2) in other words, you will be judged the same way you judge others.
A person who recognizes their desperate need of the Savior, and finds mercy and forgiveness in the blood of Christ, will long to see others find the same grace that they have. That kind of person rejoices when another sinner becomes a saint, even if it’s on a deathbed.
But a Mr. Goody Two-shoes who never says a bad word and always tucks in his shirt, and looks down on those who stumble, will have a hard time when he sees his father show love to a screw-up.
What do you think when you see someone come to Christ? It’s easy to smile when a clean cut, well dressed person wants to join the church, but what do you think when the person who’s sins have developed some notoriety shows up? Although it may be true that they are guilty of crimes you haven’t committed, I’ll bet there are marks on your rap sheet that aren’t on theirs.
Can you show the same love to others that God has shown to you?
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph 4:32
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Col 3:13
We are called to forgive on a level way beyond what our natural self wants to or thinks is right.
It’s a tall order, but you can do it, when you recognize what a scumbag you are and that God forgave you.
The winning of a soul to Christ is cause for a great celebration. In fact, all of heaven rejoices when that happens.
You can get a glimpse of the condition of your heart by how you react when your Father receives a sinner. You don’t want to be the angry, jealous older brother who refuses to come in and celebrate when his lost brother has come home.