For His Own Sake

“I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” Isaiah 43:25

Israel is a mess. The kingdom is divided. The dual thrones have been weakened. Idolatry and wickedness are running rampant through a land that God had wonderfully, miraculously preserved and given to His people just a few short generations before. And yet, here is God promising forgiveness for all of their sin–not only forgiveness, but eradication of their sin. Notice that God does not forgive them for their sake. He forgives them for His own sake. Why would He forgive their sin for His own sake, and not just for their sake? This promise is echoed in the New Testament to the young church by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2. Paul details our grave sin problem (v.1-3). But God has done something to combat our sin problem through His mercy and grace (v.4-6). By grace we have been saved through faith. Salvation is certainly nothing that we can accomplish ourselves (v.8-9). God’s grace alone saves us! But notice that tucked into the middle of this incredible passage, Paul gives the reason God extends His grace to us. It’s not just because He loves us, which of course He does. Ephesians 2:7 says that God saves us “so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” God’s grace is abundant, immeasurable, beyond compare. He is saving people, He is transforming lives, He is building His church for His own sake. He is accomplishing His purpose in our lives so that all would know, for all eternity, the beauty of His wonderful grace.

-Pastor Mike