Forgiveness and forbearance for the glory of God

Romans 3:25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; How can a righteous judge pass over sins without executing justice? How can we pass over the sins of another without demanding justice and retribution? The answer is the same for both questions. In Christ, God showed that He was righteous to pass over sins previously committed because He knew He would faithfully execute His justice at the cross upon His Son, Jesus. God placed the blood of His Son in front of the entire world. He placed the payment for all the sins which He passed over on a billboard for all to see. Because God looked at Jesus’ work on the cross, He could forbear with all who sinned previous to the time of His sacrificial atonement. This is the same basis for believers who forbear or pass over the sins of others. They demonstrate God’s righteousness by looking to the suffering of Christ on behalf of the offender as payment in blood for their sin. Forgiveness and forbearance are significant qualities of the love of those who live to love with Jesus. We forgive and forbear with others because we know they are not getting away with sin. Their sins have not been passed over, they have been sufficiently dealt with at the cross. Therefore we do not need to require anything from others before we forgive them. We also don’t exact some retribution or vengeance because we want God to get all the glory for the work He has done in Christ. To demand more is to say that Jesus’ payment in blood was insufficient to satisfy God’s justice. We certainly celebrate that Jesus’ payment is enough for us. We are glad He doesn’t demand that we suffer more because of our sins. Jesus would never ask for more to be done than what He has done. This is the love for Jesus and of Jesus. If we love Him, we want Him to get all the glory as we forgive and forbear. If we love with Him, we give Him glory as we accept all that He has done to justify our brother or sister before God and before us. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com