Big God

Forgiveness is a big word when it refers to God. Especially the word used for forgiveness in the Old Testament. OT for all of you newbies. We're talking the first thirty-nine books of the Bible.

The word that's used in the OT to describe God's forgiveness toward us is literally translated abundant forgiveness. That's not just plain vanilla forgiveness here. Not a "no problem" or a "it's all good" kind of forgiveness. Think about the word abundant. It means plentiful or profusion. In other words, an ample supply of lavish expenditure. It just keeps getting bigger. Amazing. That's a lot of forgiveness. That's a Big God. Let's talk about the last half of that translation. The word forgiveness means to give up resentment. When God forgives, he lets go "a feeling of indignant displeasure or persistent ill will at something regarded as a wrong, insult, or injury."

So what's that say about God and his ability to forgive? Even though God is displeased with our sin he chooses to lavishly expend his love on us. In other words, you can't begin to tap his forgiveness. He is more than willing to give up any feeling of displeasure with us and his ability to forgive is endless.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21, NIV; emphasis mine)

For those reading this that are followers of Christ: Take some time and thank God for his abundant forgiveness. If you meditate on that passage long enough, you won't be able to do anything but bust out in thankfulness.

For anyone reading this that hasn't started a relationship with God: God's forgiveness is bigger than...well, you name it. His abundant forgiveness is there for the taking. Ask him to forgive you and wait for him to pour his abundant forgiveness into your soul.

He's a Big God. Very Big God.

Have a great day.