For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. —Romans 5:19-21 KJV

If God gave us what we deserved, we would all go to hell. Thank heaven he does not, but instead he gives us grace. Grace is the unmerited favor that He gives us, not because we deserve it but because He loves us.

His love is not like our love. His love is unconditional, more so than we have for our own children. Parents, you know how strong your love is for your children; His love is stronger.

When your children make a mistake or do something wrong, they know that discipline is coming. However, when you see those sons and daughters feeling bad about what they did, and you just know they will not do it again, you forgive them instead of disciplining them — that is grace and unconditional love. That is what we receive from the Father, unconditional love. However, because He is God, His love is bigger, wider, and deeper, than any love we can imagine, even that of our children.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 8:37-39 KJV

Nothing can separate us from His wondrous love.

When we make a mistake, when we slip, His love is unconditional, His grace sufficient, for those that love Him. Just as you love your child, He loves us, His children, only more so. That is not an easy thought to wrap your mind around.

Consider that the Almighty that created everything we know has abounding love for you. His Word tells us how much He loves us.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. —Psalm 103:12 KJV

When we fall, whether intentionally or otherwise, and ask the Lord to forgive us, He erases our folly as if it never happened. That type of love is unattainable by our mere minds. We always remember who wronged us and the things that have happened to us. It takes a strong faith to forgive things that we see as unforgivable.

Yet, He does give us the tools to do so. The Word teaches us to forgive others so we are forgiven.

If He gave us what we deserve, we would all be heading for the pit. We are all born into sin. Therefore, without His unmerited love and grace, we would not have a chance. We would not have any future. 

Today, search your heart to see if there is anyone, you have not forgiven.

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. —Matthew 6:15 KJV

The thing about forgiveness is that it is for your benefit, not the other person’s. They will be who they are, no matter what your thoughts on the matter. You want to be clean before the Lord, and knowing that you have unmerited grace to forgive that person, no matter what the offense, will help you do it.