Ephesians 1:7  The Forgiveness of God

I was much impressed by this devotion from the writings of Oswald Chambers. I believe it touches a spot in our Christian culture which must be explored by all believers. This view of the "Fatherhood of God" is far too common and must be examined. Do you genuinely understand God as Father, and the price paid to restore us?

"In whom we have . . . the forgiveness of sins." Ephesians 1:7

Beware of the pleasant view of the Fatherhood of God-God is so kind and loving that of course He will forgive us. That sentiment has no place whatever in the New Testament. The only ground on which God can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the Cross of Christ; to put forgiveness on any other ground is unconscious blasphemy. The only ground on which God can forgive sin and reinstate us in His favour is through the Cross of Christ, and in no other way. Forgiveness, which is so easy for us to accept, cost the agony of Calvary. It is possible to take the forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and our sanctification with the simplicity of faith, and to forget at what enormous cost to God it was all made ours.

Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace; it cost God the Cross of Jesus Christ before He could forgive sin and remain a holy God. Never accept a view of the Fatherhood of God if it blots out the Atonement. The revelation of God is that He cannot forgive; He would contradict His nature if He did. The only way we can be forgiven is by being brought back to God by the Atonement. God's forgiveness is only natural in the super-natural domain. Compared with the miracle of the forgiveness of sin, the experience of sanctification is slight. Sanctification is simply the marvelous expression of the forgiveness of sins in a human life, but the thing that awakens the deepest well of gratitude in a human being is that God has forgiven sin.

Paul never got away from this. When once you realize all that it cost God to forgive you, you will be held as in a vice, constrained by the love of God.

"Father, forgive us for our narrow and selfish view. How quick we are to assume forgiveness, for ourselves and others. We rarely consider the conditions and the cost. Forgive us for treating Your grace cheaply, for considering the cost of our salvation so lightly. Cleanse us of all such thoughts and sanctify us wholly. Set us apart for Your work that You will receive the glory and the honor. We ask it in the name of Jesus the Christ who suffered that we might be restored to your favor and receive Your forgiveness. Amen."

Shalom

Bob Goldsby