JUST LIKE OUR LORD – “WHO FORGIVES ALL YOUR INIQUITIES”

Sanctification is serious business in a Christian’s life. If one is not being sanctified day by day, that clearly means there is something wrong with our claims of being a Christian. 

Let us continue to look at Psalm 103, and see what else can we learn about the LORD, and how He chooses to work among us. How best we can follow or imitate Him.
– “​1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.” – Psalm 103:1-6

Let us look at the first part of verse three for our meditation this morning – “3 Who forgives all your iniquities…” This is the second lesson that we are drawing for the process of sanctification. God our Creator and LORD “FORGIVES ALL OUR INIQUITIES.” To clearly grasp the concept of Christian forgiveness, we have to see the Father, in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The father forgave the sins of the son, even before the forgiveness was sought by the son. The realisation, repentance, return and the confession of the son was awaited.    

A Christian is called to be like his Master and Redeemer. This means, we have to forgive others like our LORD. We should forgive ALL the iniquities of those who sin against us. There are no ifs and buts.
– “21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” – Matthew 18:21-22

Let us look at some more verses on forgiveness, that give us a proper perspective of Christian forgiveness that is expected from us, as the disciples of the LORD Jesus Christ.
– ’12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” – Colossians 3:12-13
– ’30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. ​1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” – Ephesians 4:30-5:2

If we are to be Christians, then we ought to be the imitators of the LORD Jesus. Imitators of the LORD in our thoughts, words and deeds. Forgiveness, begins as a thought, and comes to fruition through our words and deeds.
– “If you’re serious about sanctification, you can expect to experience heart-wrenching moments that try your faith, your endurance, and your patience.” – Sheri L. Dew

The character of the “New Man” or “New Person” that is being worked at in our hearts is a process, where our sanctification is directly proportional to our obedience to all what God is asking from us.
– “Part of what we pick up in looking at Jesus in the gospel is a way of viewing the whole world. That worldview informs all our values and deeply shapes our thinking and decision-making. Another part of what we absorb is greater confidence in Jesus’ counsel and his promises. This has its own powerful effect on what we fear and desire and choose. Another part of what we take up from beholding the glory of Christ is greater delight in his fellowship and deeper longing to see him in heaven. This has its own liberating effect from the temptations of this world. All these have their own peculiar way of changing us into the likeness of Christ. Therefore, we should not think that pursuing likeness to Christ has no other components than just looking at Jesus. Looking at Jesus produces holiness along many different paths.” – John Piper

Character of the “New Man” is linked to we forgiving others who have sinned against us; which in turn is linked to the answered prayers. If our prayers are not being answered, one of the significant reasons could be our unforgiving attitude. Forgiving others, just like our LORD, is the trait of a true Christian disciple.
– “25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25-26

Sanctification is a process. It takes time and effort. We cannot quantify the progress of our sanctification, but any small change from yesterday, is a clear and undeniable sign of our progress. Also, each individual Christian has their own pace, and their own progress. Hence it is undesirable to compare our sanctification progress, with fellow Christians. 

Sanctification can happen only when the LORD works in our hearts and minds. Sanctification happens only when we willingly allow the LORD to work in us, by YIELD ourselves intentionally to the LORD, and His commands; and joyfully chose to OBEY Him; and DO all what He is asking of us. The quicker and fuller we obey, the better the results. 

Therefore, we all should passionately desire for sanctification. We should actively pursue it by surrendering ourselves to the LORD. We should live in complete obedience to the LORD, in all what He is commanding us. Herein is the key to a fruitful Christian life. Even so, the LORD help us.