June 19, 2025

Bob Maas
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”
Psalm 103:12-13

This passage captures the essence of living with grace. It emphasizes that true grace is not about achieving a state of flawless perfection; rather, it is about the complete liberation from the burdens of our sins. The imagery of the immeasurable distance between the east and west serves as a powerful metaphor for the infinite magnitude of God’s forgiveness. He does not simply displace our sins; instead, He utterly obliterates them, ensuring they are forever forgotten and not held against us.

Furthermore, God’s compassion is like that of a loving father—gentle, empathetic, and endlessly patient. He understands our weaknesses and human frailties, yet He still chooses to extend His boundless grace toward us. To embrace living gracefully means to internalize this profound truth of unconditional love and forgiveness. It involves shedding the heavy burden of self-condemnation, welcoming His unwavering mercy, and allowing this deep compassion to flow through us to touch the lives of others. When we fully comprehend the depth of our own forgiveness and the breadth of His love, we free ourselves to engage with the world in a spirit of authentic grace and heartfelt kindness.