Wednesday, October 31, 2007

First We Pray: Lesson 7---Question 8

Isaiah 43:25 tells us that God forgives us "for His own sake". What do you think this means?

I think this is referring to the idea that God has a reputation to uphold, and in many cases to repair because of the many atrocities that are done "in His name". Also, when God forgives, people are transformed. When people are transformed they become living, breathing testimonies of the awesome power of God, and this in turn draws others to Himself. Ezekiel 36:22a,23b says it this way:

22-23 "Therefore, tell Israel, 'Message of God, the Master: I'm not doing this for you, Israel. I'm doing it for me, to save my character, my holy name ...I'm going to put my great and holy name on display, the name that has been ruined in so many countries...Then the nations will realize who I really am, that I am God, when I show my holiness through you so that they can see it with their own eyes. (The MSG)



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