Forgiving but holy

'The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.' – Numbers 14v11

Sometimes it can be difficult for us to find the balance between God’s righteousness holiness and His loving forgiveness. How can a God who is love and a God whose righteousness demands judgement?

I am glad that God made Moses think this thing out. The passage us, in just a few words, is a great explanation of how this plays out.

God is longsuffering. He is overflowing in His mercy. He forgives sin. All of that is clear. Notice that Moses lists this part of God first. God is willing to forgive anyone. In fact, we know from New Testament teaching that it is not His will that anyone would perish.

Yet there is a huge problem. While God is loving and merciful He is also perfectly righteous. His righteousness demands holiness and perfection.

None of us can achieve that standard. That is where the forgiveness part comes in to play. God’s love motivated Him to provide a way. It was not cheap, it cost Him the burden of the cross.

God’s patience, mercy, and forgiveness is there for all who will repent and accept it. The rest must pay the price for their sin.