God starts out the conversation like this: You did not call upon me, O Jacob, but you have been weary of me, O Israel. (paraphrasing: you don’t come by anymore, you haven’t bought me anything in awhile, you have not sacrificed for me and I really haven’t even asked you for much even though there’s a lot i want, i didn’t want to burden you, but all you do BRING me is drama, your failures, and wearied me with your issues…. (Isaiah 43:22-24)

This does not sound like it’s going too well right? Then there’s this amazing contrasting, TURNING statement…ILLOGICAL if you will permit:

I, I am he who blots out your transgressions FOR MY OWN SAKE, and I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25

I am so struck by this notion: For My Own Sake. What is that? This commentary I’m reading says “This is the mystery of his grace. Why he forgives His people cannot be understood by human moral reasoning. For my own sake locates the reason for His grace deep within His own being…” I’m annoyed by contemporary Christian DOGma that tries to make forgiveness CONTRACTUAL. The basis of the grace of forgiveness =COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BOUNDS OF YOUR HUMAN UNDERSTANDING. The most I understand the scriptures require is that you at least Let God know that you want to receive it. It’s to say: Why give something to someone and they don’t have a desire or reason of use for it.

This might explain why Jesus instructs to forgive 70×70= ridiculous amounts/PER PERSON! (I guess the people who were multiplying didn’t have good math skills and just thought can’t multiply those numbers IDK LOL) Dude, dudette, forgiveness doesn’t require your masterful manipulation. It cannot be entreated by your pitiful quid pro quo: if you give me this I will give you that. God does it for HIS own sake. Not even for your own sake. For His own sake. Too wonderful for me to comprehend, but I’m swimming in it. NAY drowning in it. For your own sake, God (and I know you’re invested in your own sake) grace me with forgiveness!