In many cases, people’s view of God is influenced by their relationships with other people, particularly authority figures. The impression people have of authority figures with whom they have interacted is then projected onto God. If parents, teachers, or church leaders were harsh to them at some point in their lives, they may view God as being a harsh, disciplinary figure as well. This image does not reflect the character of God we find revealed to us in the Bible. Rather than waiting to catch us doing wrong, God desires to forgive us. Forgiveness is not just a piece of God’s character, though. Forgiveness is at the heart of how God interacts with people.
God offers forgiveness that is abundant and freely given.”
Our lesson today provides one example that can help correct misunderstandings about how God relates to us as human beings, God already knows us and desires to forgive and restore us. If we want to know what true forgiveness looks like, we can look at God as a model. While people in our culture may want to attach conditions to forgiveness, God offers forgiveness that is abundant and freely given. This level of forgiveness gives us reason to praise God and remember His goodness to us.
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