What does "not dealt with us according to our sins" teach about grace? The Verse in Focus “ He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us according to our iniquities.” (Psalm 103:10) What This Line Reveals About Grace • Grace means God withholds the penalty we earned. • Grace is active: He “has not dealt”… a deliberate choice. • Grace is personal: “us” — every believer can claim it. • Grace is complete: no partial pay-back, no probationary period. Why We Deserved Something Different • Sin brings death (Romans 6:23). • God’s holiness cannot ignore rebellion (Habakkuk 1:13). • Justice demands repayment (Ezekiel 18:20). Left to ourselves, the verdict would be certain and final. How God Can Withhold Judgment and Still Be Just 1. Substitution — Christ bore the penalty (Isaiah 53:4-6; 2 Corinthians 5:21). 2. Satisfaction — the cross fulfills righteous justice (Romans 3:25-26). 3. Imputation — His righteousness credited to us (Philippians 3:9). Because punishment fell on Jesus, it does not fall on us. Grace That Goes Further Than Forgiveness Psalm 103 continues: • “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving devotion” (v. 11). • “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions” (v. 12). Grace not only spares us; it lifts, separates, and secures us. Living Under This Kindness • Humility — no boasting; all is gift (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Security — God’s mercy is “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 103:17). • Patience with others — we mirror the mercy shown to us (Matthew 18:33). • Gratitude — continual praise “Bless the LORD, O my soul” (Psalm 103:1). A Final Snapshot “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) The same God who chose not to deal with us according to our sins now welcomes us into an ongoing, cleansing fellowship—a daily reminder that grace never runs dry. |
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