Denney on Forgiveness

Divine forgiveness is free, freely given by the God Who loves us and Whom we have offended.

But it is not unconditional.  "God does not forgive the impenitent, who do not wish nor ask to be forgiven," James Denney.  "He cannot do so, for forgiveness, like all spiritual things, cannot be given unless it is taken, and it can only be taken by a penitent and surrendered soul."

So we cannot say, God will forgive you - that's His job!  No.  It is in His nature to forgive the repentant and trusting; but we must never presume on it.

"Neither ... is the freeness of forgiveness inconsistent with its cost," adds Denney.  It cost God His Son; it cost the Son His Life; and it will cost you your sin.  Forgiveness is costly.  And the One Who paid this incalculable price for our redemption and forgiveness has placed all of us in His debt, a debt we cannot ever repay.  He did for us what we could never do for ourselves and what no one else could ever do for us.

So forgiveness comes to repentant sinners at colossal cost.  Don't ever treat it as something cheap or sentimental or sleazy.  Accept it and thank God for it; then go and be a forgiving person, for in that way non-Christians will see a glimpse of Christ in your life, and God will be glorified.