The Cross: Love of Infinite Forgiveness
1) There is no limit to God’s forgiveness
God created us to be bundles of blessing, made in His image for loving and joyful fellowship, and called us His children. He gave us the blessing of living as His children, but because of sin, all people became spiritually dead—cut off from the fellowship of love. Sinners took the hand of the deceitful Satan and, by their own will, turned their backs on God in betrayal and rebellion. Yet, even before the creation of the world, God had already decided to forgive such sinners. He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to love and forgive us. He did this because He created us in Christ even before the foundation of the world—and the reason was love. This love was great enough to forgive sinners and to give up His own Son. In this gospel, there is forgiveness without limit.
》Scripture Prayer
(Hosea 11:1–9,NIV) 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more they were called, the more they went away from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. 5 “Will they not return to Egypt and will not Assyria rule over them because they refuse to repent? 6 A sword will flash in their cities; it will devour their false prophets and put an end to their plans. 7 My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them. 8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? How can I treat you like Admah? How can I make you like Zeboyim? My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused. 9 I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man—the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1.There is no limit to the forgiveness God has accomplished. No one can fully grasp the depth, width, length, and height of His love revealed through the atonement of the cross. Yet when a sinner begins to recognize their guilt before this loving God, they may wonder, “Could even this great sin be forgiven?” and fall into despair, thinking, “Someone like me is beyond forgiveness.” But it is precisely in that moment of despair that grace breaks in. Yes, we have no right to receive such mercy. And yet, for us, for our children and the generations to come, God offers the cross of infinite forgiveness. Let us choose to draw near to it.
2. Through Hosea, God cried out in anguish that although Israel had rebelled and sinned, He still loved them and therefore would forgive them. He allowed judgment through the Assyrian invasion, but it was discipline meant to lead Israel to discover His mercy and return to Him. It was a sign of His forgiveness, calling them to turn from sin and come back to their God. God’s infinite forgiveness is possible because He has already prepared His righteousness to destroy sin and raise the dead to life. As those who have received His forgiveness, let us reflect on how we discipline our children. Do we carry the grace to accept them again with the same infinite mercy? Let us pray that God would fill us with that grace.
2)The love of a father who waits for his child to return
No matter how gracious, broad-minded, or deep-hearted a person may be, their forgiveness always has limits. A wealthy father with two sons gave the younger son his share of the inheritance as he asked, fully knowing how the son would waste it in reckless living and eventually return. Still, the father waited. He prayed with longing that his son would come back alive, not just anywhere, but back to him, back to the father’s house. This father himself had once received the love of God who forgave him, a sinner even greater than his son. Though deserving death, he had been forgiven by God. Because he had been forgiven much, he could love much. As one who had received great mercy, he was able to continue loving his rebellious child without giving up.
》Scripture Prayer
(Luke 15:17–24,NIV) 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. How much grace have I received from God’s forgiveness and salvation? The prayer, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:12), is not just a line we recite during worship as part of the Lord’s Prayer. For someone who has been forgiven by God, it is unthinkable not to forgive others. Let us pray, acknowledging this truth.
2. Many in today’s younger generation are living like the prodigal son, chasing after the desires of the flesh and the ways of the world. Even children in Sunday School and youth in the church often love the world. Let us pray that parents and church leaders would be filled with God’s heart to wait for their return, to pray without ceasing, and to boldly share the gospel with them.
3) For give as the Lord forgave you
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.(Colossians 3:13,NIV)
As children grow up, they will inevitably experience weakness, failure, disappointment, and even fall into sin. Yet even when a child goes astray, there remains hope for their return because they are part of a family bound together by life and love. Within that family exists a heart of compassion that forgives and embraces. Even if it takes a long time for the child to return, the family, united in one life, waits patiently.
God has waited for us, sinners, in this same way—and He still waits. Just as the Lord has forgiven us, let us also wait and pray for the youth in Korea and around the world to receive God’s forgiveness and salvation.
》Scripture Prayer
(Proverbs 3:11–22,NIV) 11 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. 13 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. 19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
》Pray that the Word may become the Conclusion.
1. God surely disciplines those He loves so that they may gain life through the gospel. He earnestly disciplines His children as they struggle against sin. In the same way, a father must discipline the son in whom he delights. However, if parents rejoice in their child’s outward appearance or worldly achievements but compromise when it comes to sin, they are loving themselves—not their children. Let us pray that parents would not compromise with sin but raise their children with loving discipline that leads to life through the gospel.
2. The reason God disciplines and judges is because He desires to renew and transform our lives. While earthly parents can discipline, forgive, and accept their children, and be united with them in love, they cannot give them the direction or power to live a new life. God’s wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are found in Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh, and in Christ is life. If parents have forgiven and accepted their children with the heart of the Lord, then they must continue to lead them to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us pray and seek the Lord’s grace, that our children would walk in perfect wisdom and self-control, and that the gospel would become their life.
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