Wednesday 26th August
Read Jeremiah 5:7-9
“‘Why should I forgive you?
Your children have forsaken me
and sworn by gods that are not gods.
I supplied all their needs,
yet they committed adultery
and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.
8 They are well-fed, lusty stallions,
each neighing for another man’s wife.
9 Should I not punish them for this?’
declares the Lord.
‘Should I not avenge myself
on such a nation as this?” (NIVUK)
We come upon one of the central mysteries of salvation. The heart of God is to forgive (v7), the question is otherwise meaningless. How can God forgive given the extent of the sin revealed in the heart of the people, the leaders and the city itself? Spiritual and literal prostitution is the undeniable and indefensible charge. The demands of justice (v9) are at odds with the will to be merciful (v7). How can God be both just yet justify the ungodly?
“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood – to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished 26 – he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:25-26) (NIVUK)
Forgiveness is neither free, nor easy.
