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“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace.”
- Ephesians 1:7
1. Forgiveness Definition
a. Forgiveness ~def. To pardon an offender, to overlook an offense, remission of sin.
b. 2 Corinthians 5:19 – Not imputing their trespasses unto them…
c. It removes the debt and treats the offender as “not guilty”
d. It is offered by mercy and compassion in light of godly sorrow
2. The World and Forgiveness
a. The world pleads for mercy and forgiveness towards good and righteous men – Rom 5:7
b. They will express sorrow, but is it godly? A good judge knows. – 2 Cor 7:9-11
c. The world wants “off the hook”, godly sorrow wills to change for the better
d. The problem with forgiveness: without atonement it can be unjust – Lev 6:7, 19:22
e. Can we forgive if someone is not sorry? – Only, if we take the wrong – Col 3:13
3. Only God Grants Forgiveness
a. Only God can ultimately forgive: 1) all sins are against him, 2) he knows 3) he is pure
b. Jesus forgave sins, and the scribes were half right; man cannot forgive - Mark 2:5-7
c. He teaches us to be merciful and forgiving, but we cannot remove sin – Luke 6:37
d. He can only forgive if he takes the wrong: he is longsuffering - Num 14:18-21
4. Forgiveness Through the Bible
a. Forgiveness is offered to all, but it is offered differently:
b. Phrases used for forgiveness: hide sins, to remit, cover, blot out, or impute not iniquity
c. Moses: Animal sacrifices atoned for forgiveness - Lev 4:20
d. David: Forgiveness through the covenant - Psalm 25:18, 32:1, 86:5, 103:4-5
e. Prophets: God promised forgiveness … Jer 31:34
f. John: Water baptism for the remission of sins – Mark 1:4, Acts 2:38
g. Jesus: Conditional forgiveness, unforgivable sins, Matt 6:12-15, 12:31-32, 18:21-22
i. Remission to many the faithful remnant – Mat 26:28
h. Peter: Forgiveness for the obedient - Luke 24:47, Acts 3:19, 5:31-32
i. If we confess our sins… 1 John 1:9
ii. Prayer of faith … James 5:15
i. Paul: Forgiveness to the ungodly according to his grace; Rom 4:7, 5:8, Eph 1:7, 4:32
j. Forgiveness is offered now freely through the blood of Jesus!
Salvation has always been the wisdom of God's grace providing an atonement for man,
propitiating wrath, forgiveness of sins, redemption from evil, reconciliation unto to God,
justification by faith, and sanctification unto holiness.