What Is Forgiveness

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Lord Jesus, I confess that I have sinned against You, others and myself. I call upon You, Jesus, and ask You to forgive me from all sin. Especially in the realms of unforgiveness, any word curses against myself or anyone, rebellion and/or strife. I apply the blood of Jesus over myself. In 1 John 1:9 You say, “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” So I thank you Jesus that I am forgiven.

Forgiveness in the Bible is a “release” or a “dismissal” of something. The forgiveness we have in Christ involves the release of sinners from God’s just penalty and the complete dismissal of all charges against us (There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  Romans 8:1). Colossians 1:14 says that in God’s beloved Son “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” The Amplified Bible translates the last phrase like this: “the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].” God’s gracious forgiveness of our sin is to be the measure of our gracious forgiveness of others (And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32).

To some people, forgiveness may seem like weakness or letting an undeserving person win, but it has no connection to weakness or even to emotions. Instead, forgiveness is an act of the will. Forgiveness is not granted because a person deserves to be forgiven. No one deserves to be forgiven. Forgiveness is a deliberate act of love, mercy, and grace. Forgiveness is a decision to not hold something against another person, despite what he or she has done to you.

What is forgiveness in relation to salvation?

Forgiveness is an integral part of salvation. When Jesus forgives us, our sins, trespasses, iniquities, and transgressions are erased, wiped off the record. We will be as though we have never sinned.  Forgiveness of sin is comparable to someone who seeks bankruptcy and their entire financial debt is erased by the courts.

When Jesus said, “It is finished,” from the cross (John 19:30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.), He was literally saying, “It is paid in full” (tetelestai in Greek). Jesus took the punishment we deserved, so, when God forgives us of our sins, we are free; we no longer live under that debt. Our sins are wiped out. God will never hold that sin against us (As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:12).

It is impossible to have salvation without forgiveness. Salvation is God’s deliverance from the consequences of sin. God’s salvation in Christ is the ultimate example of forgiveness. Have you accepted forgiveness from God?

What is forgiveness of others?

Forgiveness is also an essential part of the life of believers. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32  Similarly, Colossians 3:13 says, “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” The key in both passages is that we are to forgive others as God has forgiven us. Why do we forgive? Because we have been forgiven!

The Bible tells us that we are to forgive those who sin against us. We are to keep no record of wrongs) but forgive as many times as necessary (Matthew 18:21–22). Refusing to forgive a person demonstrates resentment, bitterness, and anger, none of which are the traits of a growing Christian.

God promises that, when we come to Him confessing our sin and asking for forgiveness, He freely grants it for the sake of Christ. Likewise, the forgiveness we extend to others should know no limits.

·       1 Corinthians 13:5:   Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 

·       1 John 1:9  “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

·       Luke 17:3-4  Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (⁴⁾ 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.