I was taught that God loves us from a very young age. But how much does God love us? Aggressively!
When I bump into someone, it is, “I’m sorry.” This polite, acceptable apology is usually returned with “It’s okay.” The forgiveness involved here is indifferent. It does not take much time or emotional effort on my part. It happens.
Sometimes, I give grudging forgiveness when I really don’t want to forgive them at all. And sometimes, I ask for forgiveness in the same spirit, in a grudging apology. Picture a little boy with his arms crossed and his mouth in a pout. This is taking an effort from me to control my impulses, but it has nothing to do with forgiveness.
Aggressive Forgiveness from the Eternal One
But God’s forgiveness is aggressive. He knew we would sin. He knew how stubborn I was going to be. He knew that I was headstrong and determined. He knows all of my weaknesses. But he wanted to forgive me. So long ago, before I or my parents or even my great great great grandparents were born, he sent his son to die for my sins. Jesus came willingly to die for all of our sins. Why? So that God could forgive us of our sins. That is aggressive forgiveness. He found a way to forgive me and restore me to intimacy with him.
Sometimes, we see God’s judgment and might and power, and we tremble. He is a majestic being. In Revelation, he is depicted as the Lion of Judah. He is shown on the throne with gem hues of amber and flame, lightning flashing, and thunder crashing. He is awesome.
Aslan – The Lion from “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe“
He is like Aslan from C.S. Lewis’s Narnia books. He is majestic, but I am not afraid. I respect his power, but I trust him not to hurt me. He roars, but he is gentle and loving. He can be dangerous and has fierce looks, but he protects me daily. He loves me with aggressive forgiveness, the very definition of grace.
Romans 5:20-21 But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace.
When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it.
Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on, a world without end.
God’s Grace – Forgiveness Daily Prayer Guide
Revelation 4:2-6 I was caught up at once in deep worship and, oh!—a Throne set in Heaven with One Seated on the Throne, suffused in gem hues of amber and flame with a nimbus of emerald.
Twenty-four thrones circled the Throne, with Twenty-four Elders seated, white-robed, gold-crowned.
Lightning flash and thunder crash pulsed from the Throne. Seven fire-blazing torches fronted the Throne (these are the Sevenfold Spirit of God). Before the Throne, it was like a clear crystal sea.
