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Forgiveness freely given

He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and
forgave our sins.
(Ephesians 1:7, NLT)

The other day I complimented my son for saying sorry after something he’d done. I was genuinely impressed with how quickly he apologised, and I wanted him to know that I notice that about him. Before I could finish, my other child jumped in to ask whether she was good at saying sorry too. And then came the truth bomb I wasn’t ready for:

‘Mummy, you’re not always as good at saying sorry as you could be. You often say, “Sorry kids, but…”’

Ouch.

In that moment, I felt embarrassed and a little ashamed, mostly because they were right. I still have a lot to learn about saying sorry without excuses. And honestly, I still have a lot to learn about receiving forgiveness too.

Grateful for the Cross

But that’s why I’m so grateful for the Cross.

At Easter we remember that there is a place I can come to, and a Person who offers complete freedom. A forgiveness that removes shame, lifts regret and isn’t dependent on how good I am. God, rich in kindness and overflowing with grace, gave His Son in exchange for my freedom.

There is no ‘but’ in the way God forgives.

No qualifiers.
No reluctance.
No hesitation.

The Cross is God’s ultimate full stop. Everything that needed to be done has been done. I cannot add to the Cross, I can only receive the gift of salvation, forgiveness and freedom.

And because this forgiveness is so complete, so undeserved, and so freely given, it naturally calls me to
extend the same to others. As Jesus says:

‘Freely you have received; freely give.’ (Matthew 10:8, NIV)

When I doubt God’s kindness

When I doubt God’s kindness in extending me forgiveness and grace I often think of the scene in John where Jesus is cooking breakfast on the beach for the disillusioned and sad disciples:

‘When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So, Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore’ (John 21: 9-10 NLT)

This simple act speaks volumes. Jesus moves towards them with warmth, provision, and grace. For Peter, who had denied Him, the charcoal fire must have echoed his deepest regret and yet Jesus turned it into a place of restoration. Breakfast on the shore is the risen Jesus saying come close. It signals a forgiveness that doesn’t just pardon, it welcomes, restores, and invites us back into relationship and purpose. God is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of His son.

A simple prayer

May I learn to repent with honesty and humility.
May I receive Your forgiveness fully, without shame or resistance.
May I extend grace freely to others, just as You so freely extend it to me.

 

Response

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About MAF UK

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is the world’s largest humanitarian air operator. For over 75 years we have been flying light aircraft over jungles, mountains, swamps and deserts. We enable more than 1,500 aid, development and mission organisations to bring medical care, emergency relief and long-term development. Our pilots and personnel deliver relief workers, doctors, pastors, school books, food, medicines - everything that can only be safely and speedily delivered by air. Our faithful supporters give and pray to make this all possible.

© 2026 / MAF UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1064598) and Scotland (SC039107)