When God Says I’m Forgiven, He No Longer Holds It Against Me

In review of Isaiah 43:25 it says, “I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am. I will not hold your sins against you.”

Bottom Line:

It is God who forgives your sins, he does this because of who he is. When he does, he will not hold them against us.

What this means to me:

It’s good to know that it is God alone who will blot out and forgive my sins. He does this because of who he is and for his own purposes. The good news is that when he forgives, he no longer holds or uses them against me.

Its tempting to think (even as a believer) that when problems occur, God is getting even with us as a result of what we did.  

It’s like the guy who was driving up to a mountain lake. On the way up it starts snowing, so he gets out to put chains on his tires. While he’s doing this, another car comes along and slams into his car, and he watches in horror as his car goes over a cliff. He continues up the mountain on foot in the snow and sleet, and he’s getting sick from the cold. Then, as he rounds a corner, he sees that his cabin has burned down. He cries out, asking, “Why me, God?” The heavens part, and a voice says, “Because some people just tick me off.”

Like this story, It’s natural to think that is the way God feels about us. We think that whenever we’ve got a problem, God is ticked off. However, the Bible says, “I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am. I will not hold your sins against you” (Isaiah 43:25 TEV).

God will not hold a grudge. When I received Jesus as my Savior, I am assured that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. God will not rehearse it; he releases it. He will not rub it in. He rubs it out!

I believe the cause of my problems can come from my own bad choices or prior disobedience. Sometimes they are just things that happen, that God uses to strengthen my character and build my faith. I should however consider what’s going on in my life. Am I blaming God for any of these? At this point I don’t believe so, however it would be good for me to consider this and clear up any misconceptions.

Overall, some bad things can happen to “good” people. This is because God allows for free will in all individuals. Often this free will, choices and how others handle it can affect us.  The good news is whatever happens to me, God will be there to guide me through it, train me or stretch my faith.  God will never waste anything.