Blog #1: The Forgiveness of God

One of my favorite topics to talk/write about is the forgiveness of God. I’ll tell you why shortly. Recently, I began reading Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen White for my daily devotional. (On a side note, I highly recommend reading it. I’m only on the 12th chapter at the time of this writing and it is one of the best books I have ever read. It covers from the Fall in Heaven to the time of King David in the Bible. Patriarchs and Prophets provides such a deep insight into the “between the lines” of stories I’ve grown up hearing). The first chapter of Patriarchs and Prophets is titled “Why was Sin Permitted” and is my favorite chapter so far. It’s a question I’ve been asked before in my sabbath school class and a question I’ve often pondered myself. While the chapter discusses this question, it’s one quote from the chapter not really concerning that question that I want to talk about. Chapter 1 tells the story of Lucifer in Heaven. But not just from the typical point I heard growing up of “Lucifer was in heaven, he rebelled, was cast out, and took a third of the angels with him.” Until reading Chapter 1, that was all I understood of it. Chapter 1 goes into further detail, telling of the lies Lucifer was spreading in heaven and the seeds of rebellion he was planting. During the point he [Lucifer] had not fully committed to rebellion is where the quote I love comes in. Lucifer is on the tipping point between renouncing his mistakes and fully committing to rebellion. On page 39, in my copy at least, of Patriarchs and Prophets Ellen White says, “A compassionate Creator, in yearning pity for Lucifer and his followers, was seeking to draw them back from the abyss of ruin into which they were about to plunge” (Patriarchs and Prophets, pg. 39). This quote really stuck with me. Even as Lucifer is spreading seeds of rebellion in heaven against Him, God was yearning for him and his followers to come back. A little earlier in Patriarchs and Prophets Ellen White says, “had he [Lucifer] been willing to return to God, acknowledging the Creator’s wisdom, and satisfied to fill the place appointed him in God’s great plan, he would have been reinstated in his office” (Patriarchs and Prophets, pg. 39). This spoke volumes to me. How great the love for His creation, the forgiveness, that God was willing to take Lucifer back. This brings me to my point of God’s forgiveness. God was ready to forgive and take back Lucifer had Lucifer repented and come back to Him. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins to Him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” Sometimes it may seem like our sins are too great to be forgiven. Sometimes it may feel like we have messed up so bad, God could never forgive us, never want us back. God yearned for Lucifer to turn back to Him despite Lucifer sowing seeds of rebellion in heaven. In the same way, He yearns for you to come to him, to repent your sins and accept Him. He is calling, waiting. All you have to do is come to Him and ask, He will forgive.

-Evan Spracklen