September 14, 2026
Monday, September 14
So far in this series, we’ve learned that forgiving someone doesn’t mean we are no longer hurt or angry. It doesn’t mean we have “gotten over it.” We can forgive, even while we’re still recovering emotionally. Forgiveness is a conscious act, a decision of the will, not a feeling. It’s a decision to:
--Identify with the sinner, because we know we’re sinners too.
--Absorb the cost of their sin against us. We won’t make them pay. We won’t seek vengeance. We won’t even allow ourselves to go on hating them. And, finally it’s a decision to…
--Set them free. We agree not to hold this over them or bring it up again in the future.
But defining forgiveness that way leads some people to a theological problem. They say, “God expects me to forgive someone with no payback whatsoever. So why does He need the cross in order to forgive me?” It’s a valid question. Why couldn’t God simply forgive us without a sacrifice?
In order to understand the need for the cross, we need to understand who God truly is. In Exodus 33, Moses makes an audacious request of God. He has seen the Lord rescue His people from slavery. His ten plagues have reduced Egypt from a nation made prosperous on slave labor to a civilization in ruins. His deliverance at the Red Sea destroyed the mightiest army on earth. He has brought them food from Heaven and water from a rock. He has sent them His Law and has promised them a homeland flowing with milk and honey. In other words, they know about His power. But Moses wants to know more. He says to God, “Now show me your glory.” He was asking to see all of God, to know Him completely.
That is a wonderful desire. That’s something all of us should want. Starting tomorrow, we’ll see God’s response to Moses’ prayer, and what it teaches us about our own forgiveness. But first, let’s start this week by praying to know Him better ourselves:
“Heavenly Father, I read these devotionals because I want to know you better. Please make yourself known to me, in whatever way you choose, that I might grow in my love for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Conroe
More from Pastor Jeff at his website: jeffbergerwriting.com
