Forgiveness

Forgiveness - Part I

Archived on May 8th, 2008

Part I

Forgiveness is a topic that is frequently misunderstood. Some take away the power of Christ by saying that some things are not forgiveable. These "teachers" are sadly mistaken, bringing bondage to those who would otherwise be free. This is a good place to open up this topic.
First look at this,
Romans 8:15, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."
We are very blessed to have this adoption whereby God has adopted us into his family. He has not bound us, but on the contrary has set us free.

John 8:31-32, "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
Correctly translated, it should be; "If you STAY in my word...". The word of course is the Bible, breathed by God. If you "study to shew thyself approved..."(2nd Timothy 2:15), then you will indeed know the truth. knowing this truth sets us free from all the "hogwash" that is being taught in the religious communities these days. Even limiting the power of God, by saying they are doomed to hell for one reason or other. Only God knows the hearts and knows all things.
Now it is time to dig into the Word and set yourself free through the teaching of the Holy Spirit. "Work out your own salvation" (Philippians 2:12). Forgiveness is one of God's most precious gifts. So let's go into detail and see what forgiveness is and how it works.
Colossians 1:12-14, "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"
First let's look at the word "forgiveness" that is used here. The word here in the original Greek is: aphesis {af'-es-is}
1) release from bondage or imprisonment
2) forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they
had never been committed), remission of the penalty
Forgiveness is pardoning of something done against someone. Notice it is pardoned as if it was never committed. When we are forgiven, God Forgets, it never happened. Look at Isaiah 44:22, "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee."
God has taken an oil well, so to speak, and poured upon that sin where it was written. It never happened as far as he is concerned. God called for the children of Israel to return to him, long before Jesus ever came into the world. If he was willing to forgive them then, how much more willing is he now to forgive if you have accepted his Son? Remember the earlier verse I mentioned about being, "the Spirit of adoption"? We are part of his family, if you believe that Jesus died for your sins on the Cross.
It is through his blood that we have redemption. But not only the blood, we must do something then to receive this redemption.
Luke 17:3-4, "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."

If we are to forgive those who do wrong to us this much, think of how much more the Father is capable of forgiving.
What does the word repent mean? Let's look at it: metanoeo {met-an-o-eh'-o}
1) to change one's mind, i.e. to repent
2) to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins
In other words, to have a change of heart. If we are sincere for what we have done wrong, he will forgive us.
There are many who would say that they are "holy" and they do not commit sin. Many are taught that if they commit a sin after they have been saved, that they are doomed and cannot gain God's favor again. I say to those FALSE TEACHERS, SHAME ON YOU. Why do you limit the power and love of the Father by saying this? Look at the next verses from the bible, this is for those "holier than thou" people:
1st John 1:8-10, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us."

If we say that we do not sin, then we make Jesus a liar, not only Him but ourselves. Be careful what you tell people.
Notice here, if we confess our sins he will forgive us our sins and make us whole again.
I think this will get us started good on this subject of Forgiveness, but there is much more. I will continue this series next week, when we will take a step back and compare the Old and New Covenants, this will help you better understand forgiveness.
I truly hope this helps you in you journey back to the Father
Love and Peace.....
Carl Towns

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