https://odb.org/2024/11/28/pardoned
Micah 7 NIV-
18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Having grown up in an environment where my father’s side of the family were Catholics while my mother’s side were Taoists, I recall that God was perceived more as a protector and benefactor than a forgiver. I was not familiar with sin and the forgiveness of sin until I accepted Christ and got to know my Saviour and Deliverer. In fact, it was a fundamental and foundational tenet of the Christian faith that God first loved us because He first forgave us our sins and accepted us into His family, His Kingdom of Grace.
The message this morning is that even in the Old Testament, ancient times, God is compassionate and is the one who forgives. Even before God, in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, came to live with us and died on the cross for our sins. Is there any God who is like you, oh Lord? No, there is none like thee! You are the only one and true living God, and you pardon sin and the trangressions of the remnant of your inheritance, your people. You will not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy! Micah, whose name means “Who is like the LORD,” prophesied this many, many years ago. The message was true yesterday and remains true today and in the days to come.
Repent, if you have sinned against God. Seek His forgiveness and return to Him. Do not persist and continue in your rebellious ways! Remember, the LORD our God delights to show mercy! He is a gracious and compassionate God! Who indeed is like thee, O God, the LORD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our very own Heavenly Father?
Ronnie's Thoughts 