Some further ponderings on the forgiveness issue . . .
It has often helped me to realize . . . from so many of my own long very dark nights of the soul . . .
that were I to have had the ‘right’ childhood and circumstances, I could have ended up doing virtually any fool sinful horrid thing as anyone else.
ALL OUR HEARTS ARE DECEITFULLY WICKED.
And it is VERY UNBIBLICAL ARROGANCE to think anything else.
God has shown me my ugliness in vivid detail . . . shoved my face in it very excruciatingly and more than once. That is one reason forgiveness is so easy for me.
As Christ said to the prostitute, I think it was . . . or about her . . . those love most who have been forgiven most. I know what that’s like in large measure.
It’s HAUGHTY, self-righteous arrogance to think that our sins are more holy than someone else’s sins.
THERE, BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD—THE GRACE OF GOD
THE
GRACE
OF
GOD
. . . go I.
There is a variation among us Christians as you say in the extent to which we have experienced God's forgiveness. I readily admit to being a foul sinner, forgiven by the grace of God in Christ Jesus my Lord. For that reason, I dare not withhold forgiveness from anyone else.
Likewise, I'm confident the prodigal son had a deeper appreciation for his father's love than the faithful son. The faithful son had his inheritance, but the prodigal son had his forgiveness. And I reckon he was more grateful than the faithful son could imagine.
And Paul, having persecuted the Christians, experienced tremendous forgiveness when God called Him to reveal His Son in Him. I doubt the other Christians in his day could appreciate the extent of his devotion.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. - Romans 6:1-4
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. - Colossians 3:3
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20
To God be the glory, not man, never man!