What is the Meaning of Forgiveness from a Biblical Perspective?

FORGIVENESS.

Today we will explore the concept of forgiveness from a Biblical perspective.

Freedman defines forgiveness as, "Forgiveness is the wiping out of an offense from memory; it can be effected only by the one affronted. Once eradicated, the offense no longer conditions the relationship between the offender and the one affronted, and harmony is restored between the two. The Bible stresses both human forgiveness and divine forgiveness: The latter is the divine act by which the removal of sin and its consequences is effected. This entry consists of 3 articles surveying the concept of forgiveness as it is presented in the OT, in early Judaism, and in the NT."1

The Bible says in , "6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” 2

How does the New Testament handle forgiveness? A central feature of Jesus Christ's minstry was his declaration that believers' sin were forgiven through their faith in him.

Jesus Christ’s ministry of forgiveness was foretold in the Bible. The Bible says in the 1st Chapter of Matthew, verses 20-21, " But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” The Bible also foretells Christ's ministry of forgiveness in , "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

How does the Bible say Jesus Christ exercised His forgiveness on the Cross? The Bible says in , "And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments." This is also described in , "The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Jesus Christ has the authority to grant forgiveness because of his divinity to forgive sins authenticated by his healing of the paralytic described In : "And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men."

Some of the Jewish people were offended concerning Jesus Christ's exercise of forgiveness, considering it an act of blaspheming. This is so well demonstrated in , "And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Jesus uses parables in the Bible to teach about the concept of forgiveness. He does this by the parabe of the unmerciful servant in : "Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” Jesus again teaches about the concept of forgiveness using the parable of the lost son in : "11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

In , the Bible says His Church is to deal with forgiveness in Jesus Christ's name:

"Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” This is further discussed by Luke in : "38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Pentz states, "A forgiving spirit shows the spirit of Christ. A Christian should not hold bitterness or evil feelings in his heart. Jesus taught of forgiving our enemies—."3

Today's Prayer taken from 400 Prayers for Preachers 4:

O eternal God and most merciful Father, we confess and acknowledge here before your divine majesty, that we are miserable sinners, conceived and born in sin and iniquity, so that in us there is no goodness. For the flesh evermore rebels against the spirit, whereby we continually transgress your holy precepts and commandments, and so purchase to ourselves, through your just judgment, death and damnation.

Nevertheless, O heavenly Father, since we are displeased with ourselves for the sins that we have committed against you, and sincerely repent of the same, we most humbly ask you, for Jesus Christ’s sake, to show your mercy upon us, to forgive us all our sins, and to increase your Holy Spirit in us, so that we, acknowledging from the bottom of our hearts our own unrighteousness, may from now on not only mortify our sinful lusts and affections, but also bring forth such fruits as may be agreeable to your most blessed will; not for the worthiness thereof, but for the merits of your dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, our only Savior, whom you have already given an oblation and offering for our sins, and for whose sake we are certainly persuaded that you will deny us nothing that we shall ask in his name, according to your will. For your Spirit assures our consciences that you are our merciful Father, and so love us your children through him, that nothing is able to remove your heavenly grace and favor from us. To you, therefore, O Father, with the Son and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end.

Amen.

God Bless You,

Barry

1. Freedman, D. N. (Ed.). (1992). Forgiveness. In The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (Vol. 2, p. 831). New York: Doubleday.

2. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (All verses quoted above). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

3. Pentz, C. M. (1972). 150 Expository Sermon Outlines (p. 20). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

4. Ritzema, E. (Ed.). (2012). 400 Prayers for Preachers. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.