Generous Love, Generous Forgiveness

As a freshman in college, I attended church with my then-girlfriend, Rita, and her family. I did not grow up attending church, so the songs and religious rituals were all new to me. After about six months of listening to the good news of Jesus Christ, I heard the pastor explain how my heavenly Father loved me with a love that would accept me for who I was, with all my sins and shortcomings, and how the Lord’s generous love would cover me in abundant forgiveness.

What really drew me closer to God was the image of a heavenly Father’s love and acceptance. I did not have this experience with my earthly father since he left our family when I was five years old. So in this sacred moment, I was captivated by this profound discovery: My heavenly Father’s love embraced all of me beyond what I could ever imagine. He created me to be his own. He valued me as his beloved son. God’s generous love and forgiveness freed me to love and forgive generously.

From the lips of Jesus (Luke 7:47), we learn that the breadth of our forgiveness reflects the depth of our love. A person who is forgiven much loves much. Outside God’s good grace, we all have the same wall of sin between God and ourselves. Our sins separated us from God, but the cross of Christ tore down sin’s barrier. By faith, we are forgiven of our sins and adopted by God as his children. By receiving the grace of God, we transition from the rags of this world to the riches of heaven.

Nothing can separate you from the love and forgiveness of God. You can love much because you have been forgiven much. God’s grace generously removes your guilt and erases your shame. Your conscience is cleared. You are freed from sin to generously love. Your gratitude toward God will compel you to love him and love people.

Thank him often for his forgiveness. Show your appreciation to God for his forgiveness by loving others unconditionally. Love the undeserving. He did love. He does love. He will always generously love those undeserving of love. The forgiveness of God produces generous love.

Lord, thank you for forgiving me so freely. Help me reflect your grace by forgiving others with the same generosity. Let my heart mirror the mercy you’ve shown me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.