His Way Is To Abundantly Pardon (Full Sermon)

Many in the church world do not fully grasp the nature and style in which God forgives. While we acknowledge that God forgives, the Bible reveals that He abundantly pardons. This profound truth is often missed because, as God states, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways”. God’s concept of forgiveness far exceeds the limited human concept.

Understanding God’s Higher Ways

The biblical reference in Isaiah 55 emphasizes this distinction, asking the wicked to forsake their way (their style of doing things) and the unrighteous man his thoughts. When they return to the Lord, He will have mercy and will abundantly pardon. In Hebrew, this phrase means “multiplies to forgive”. The reason God pardons so fully is because His thoughts are not ours; human thoughts tend to minimize the scope of divine forgiveness.

The contrast between God’s ways and man’s ways highlights the difference between divine and human morality. Just because something is moral does not mean it is divine, but whatever is divine is always moral. The sources stress that the church must rise to God’s thoughts (repentance towards God) before teaching morality to the world.

The Good Shepherd Restores, He Does Not Condemn

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gives His life for the sheep and seeks their highest good. Man’s shepherding, or human attempts at discipline, can be harsh. For instance, there is a teaching that a shepherd might break a sheep’s leg to prevent it from straying and thus grow closer to the shepherd. However, the Bible teaches, “He restores my soul” (Psalm 23), not “He breaks my legs”.

The Lord’s objective is to provide abundant life (John 10:10).

When a sheep is injured, the shepherd pours in oil and wine; he does not inflict injury as a lesson.

The Good Shepherd leads His sheep beside the still waters (Hebrew: manuka or restful, tranquil waters) and makes them lie down in green pastures. Sheep cannot lie down and rest if they feel threatened or troubled. Similarly, the Lord wants believers to be carefree, worry-free, and anxiety-free. The opposite of worry is the peace of the Spirit, and the opposite of depression is the joy of the Spirit.

Restoration After Failure: Peter and Jacob

God’s forgiveness covers the past, present, and future completely. Human conventionality often demands that after a serious failure, an individual must be sidelined, or “sit down for a while”. However, God’s thoughts are not man’s thoughts regarding restoration.

The Example of Peter: Peter denied the Lord Jesus three times, the last denial including cursing and swearing. Yet, days later, he stood up among the eleven apostles and preached a message that resulted in 3,000 people being saved. The Lord used the same mouth that denied Him to preach the Word of God on the Day of Pentecost.

When Jesus was going through His trial, He prayed for Peter, stating, “I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail”. Jesus prophesied Peter’s future restoration and ministry, saying, “when you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren”. After the resurrection, the angel specifically told the women, “Go tell his disciples and Peter“. This demonstrated the Lord’s specific love and assurance toward the one who had failed. Peter was completely restored, as if he had never committed those sins.

The Example of Jacob: Jacob, whose name meant “supplanter” or “cheat,” wrestled with the pre-incarnate Christ. Jacob was relying on his natural strength, manipulative ways, and self-effort. The wrestling continued until the angel touched the strongest part of Jacob’s body—his thigh—causing him to fall. In his helplessness, God revealed Jacob’s nature (“What is your name? Jacob, a cheat”). Only after Jacob admitted his weakness (Jacob) was his name changed to Israel, meaning “prince of God,” signifying he had prevailed. God’s strength is made perfect in weakness.

The Call to Mercy and Meekness

The human tendency is to be quick to judge and condemn. This swift condemnation often stems from self-condemnation. However, those who are forgiven best by God, forgive the best.

The sources emphasize that leaders are called to do justice, but to love mercy. We are commanded, “You who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted”. Restoration requires coming to God first and acknowledging, “But for the grace of God, I would do the same”. When people fail to restore others, it shows a lack of spirituality.

In human relationships, it is easy to find fault with others. Like David, who condemned the rich man in Nathan’s parable before realizing he was “the man,” we must examine ourselves before judging. Jesus taught, “Judge not that you be not judged,” and to apply righteous judgment, leaders should lean on the side of love rather than legalism or harshness.