James 5:13-20
Notes
Transcript
Handout
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
A quick review:
So far we talked about trials in , works in , the tongue and wisdom in , Conflict and Judging in and in we talked about the plight of the rich, Being Patient and Persevering and we will finish James talking about prayer.
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
The Book of James is a call to action. James is all about action and telling what to do. There are 62 Imperative verbs not counting all the adverbs and such. James has 5 Chapters, Philippians has 4 chapters and only has 26 Imperative Verbs. Colossians with 4 chapter has 30 Imperative verbs and 1 Thessalonians has 20 in its 5 Chapters. Funny thing is 19 are in the 5th chapter alone. Paul changed his writing style for the 5th chapter of Thessalonians from more passive to very aggressive.
Opening Up James Chapter 21: What to Do with … (5:13–18)
We are living in a ‘What to do with …’ society. We pick up a magazine, and we are told what to do with this situation or that. We go to the Internet, and we are told what to do with first one problem and then another.
This is the ‘list’ generation. We love lists: ten steps to this, five keys to that, seven principles for something else. We like lists because they are so practical!
The Bible was dealing with practical matters long before we ever came along, and, unless the Lord Jesus soon returns, it will continue to do so after we are gone. For centuries and centuries, the Bible has been telling us what to do with various situations.
One outline for the passages we are studying:
And while all of the Bible is practical, no part of it is more so than the book of James. In the verses before us, James gives us a list of what we should do with various situations.
Sensitivity to needs - v13
Supplication for needs - v14-18
Significance of needs - v19-20
Opening Up James Chapter 21: What to Do with … (5:13–18)
We are living in a ‘What to do with …’ society. We pick up a magazine, and we are told what to do with this situation or that. We go to the Internet, and we are told what to do with first one problem and then another.
This is the ‘list’ generation. We love lists: ten steps to this, five keys to that, seven principles for something else. We like lists because they are so practical!
The Bible was dealing with practical matters long before we ever came along, and, unless the Lord Jesus soon returns, it will continue to do so after we are gone. For centuries and centuries, the Bible has been telling us what to do with various situations.
And while all of the Bible is practical, no part of it is more so than the book of James. In the verses before us, James gives us a list of what we should do with various situations. He begins with …
This is the reason my ministry focus is getting people in the word…Get you face in the Bible.
God gave us most of the answers so quit looking the world for answers and look to God’s Word.
Sensitivity to needs - v13
Supplication for needs - v14-18
Significance of needs - v19-20
So lets start with:
Sensitivity to Needs in v13
In passage we are studying tonight there are several imperative actions. Pray, sing, call, confess…to name the first few
Throughout this lesson we will talk a lot about parts of language, but it will make a big impact on understanding.
One outline for the passages we are studying:
Sensitivity to needs - v13
Supplication for needs - v14-18
Significance of needs - v19-20
So lets start with:
Sensitivity to Needs in v13
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
If you are suffering then Pray. Prayer is the imperative verb. The action taken for suffering is prayer.
If you are cheerful the imperative verb for the action you take is sing psalms.
Pastor Nate, what does worship do for you personally in the moment of corporate worship.
James is highlighting prayer and praise.
BNK Ronald Blue - 5:13. Perhaps the two greatest weaknesses in the average church today are the areas of prayer and praise. The reason for these weaknesses may be traced to insensitivity. There is much need for prayer and much cause to praise. Suffering should elicit prayer. Sufficiency should elicit praise. James used several questions to stress these points.
If you are suffering then pray. If you are cheerful then sing psalms. Suffering and cheerful have one imperative action to complete. The word suffering also mean misfortune, hardship or distress.
If you are suffering then pray. If you are cheerful then sing psalms. Suffering and cheerful have one imperative action to complete. The word suffering also mean misfortune, hardship or distress.
If you are suffering then pray. If you are cheerful then sing psalms. Suffering and cheerful have one imperative action to complete. The word suffering also mean misfortune, hardship or distress.
When we are cheerful we are to sing psalms. Singing lets people know that God is at work in our life blessing us and the results is cheerfulness. So sing i, sing it loud and proud.
LABC - Almost every Sunday, we unconsciously apply . The use of hymn singing in worship is not merely to create a mood, allow people to stand and stretch, or provide a break between the spoken parts—hymn singing is a form of prayer. It ought to be composed, played, and sung with devotion. We should think of what we are singing and sing with joyful reverence. Whether it is our song, or one composed by another, our expression of the words ought to be genuine. By its nature, music allows us to come as close as possible to praising God in perfect union. Perhaps not every person is happy, but the joyful expression of a few may actually be what God uses to lift the spirits of those who are broken or lost.
Bruce B. Barton, David Veerman, and Neil S. Wilson, James, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1992), 137.
Supplication for Needs
The next two issues each have two imperative action to complete.
Pray, sing, call, pray, confess, pray... If you are suffering then pray. If you are cheerful then sing psalms. Suffering and cheerful have one imperative action to complete.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Pray, sing, call, pray, confess, pray... If you are suffering then pray. if you are cheerful then sing psalms. Suffering and cheerful have one imperative action to complete. The next two each have two imperative action to complete. If you are sick then you have to call and pray. If you are in sin you have to confess and pray. So the key in this section of scriptures is to pray. Sick in body call and pray sick in soul (sin) confess and pray. When we are suffering what do lots of people do. Yeah go on Facebook and complain about being what is causing you to suffer. be we are commanded to pray not complain. We are called to pray not whine in our suffering. When we pray we focus on what God is going to do. When we complain and whine we focus on the issues. When we are cheerful we are to sing psalms. singing lets people know that god is at work in our life blessing us and the results is cheerfulness. So sing it and sing it loud and proud. Now when we get to to Sickness we have two commands to fulfill to call and to pray. In calling for the elders we are making our request know so they can pray too, then they pray over the sick. James tells us to call and pray not not whine and complain. James tells us to call the elders not the sinners. Quit telling the world about your sickness and call the elders.Then pray. Now anointing is an adverb describing how to pray. The other sickness is of the soul called sin. This also requires two commands to be carried out. to Confess and to pray. once you confess one to another then you can be held accountable. Don’t brag about your sins, confess and pray. Don’t stay in your sins, confess and pray so you can overcome your sin.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
The next two each have two imperative action to complete. If you are sick then you have to call and pray. If you are in sin you have to confess and pray. So the key in this section of scriptures is to pray. Sick in body call and pray; sick in soul (sin) confess and pray.
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
If you are sick the imperative verb is call, but unlike the first two situations we now have two imperative verbs for when you are sick. To call, then pray.
If you are in sin you have to confess and pray. So the key in this section of scriptures is to pray. Sick in body call and pray; sick in soul (sin) confess and pray.
If you are in sin you have to confess and pray. So the key in this section of scriptures is to pray. Sick in body call and pray; sick in soul (sin) confess and pray.
When we are suffering, are sick what do lots of people do. Yeah go on Facebook and complain about what is causing you to suffer or your sickness. But we are commanded to pray not complain. We are called to pray not whine in our suffering. When we pray we focus on what God is going to do. When we complain and whine we focus on the issues.
James addresses the issue of Christian community from the standpoint of solidarity in prayer and mutual confession of sins. The sick should summon church elders to pray for healing. We cant go it alone.
In calling for the elders we are making our request know so they can pray too, then they pray over the sick. So they can bare our burdens as the scripture requires.
James tells us to call and pray not not whine and complain. James tells us to call the elders not the sinners. Quit telling the world about your sickness and troubles and call the elders. Then pray.
The other sickness is of the soul called sin. This also requires two commands to be carried out; to confess and to pray. Once you confess one to another then you can be held accountable. Don’t brag about your sins, confess and pray. Don’t stay in your sins, confess and pray so you can overcome your sin.
in V14 anointing is not a imperative verb as you might think from the English but it is an adverb describing how to pray. So lets talk about anointing for a minute.
Anoint
Anoint
In the NT , anointing of the sick accompanied by prayer for healing by local church elders is recommended when requested by a sick person (). Anointing with oil was also a part of the apostles’ healing ministry (, ).
The Practice of Anointing. As a religious act, anointing was meant to endow the anointed one with the quality of the deity involved. From ancient times the Hebrews inaugurated officers of their national community by pouring special oil on the head of the person designated for office. The same practice was used to set objects apart for special divine use. The Hebrew word for anoint first appears in , where it refers to Jacob pouring oil on the stone of Bethel (, ).
Skilled perfume makers blended the choicest spices (myrrh, cinnamon, sweet cane, cassia) in olive oil (). The Lord specified that everything set apart for God—the tabernacle, the ark, the table and its instruments, the lampstand and utensils, the incense altar and main altar, the washbasin—was to be anointed. Aaron the high priest and his sons the priests were also to be anointed (). The result was a holy place with holy furnishings, holy implements of worship, and holy ministers.
Anointing, however, had more than religious or ritualistic significance. Both the Egyptians and the Syrians practiced anointing for medical and cosmetic reasons, and the Scriptures indicate that such nonreligious practice was also a part of Israelite customs (; ; Mi 6:15). In fact, failure to anoint or perfume oneself indicated mourning or distress (; ; ).1
1 Robert D. Culver, “Anoint, Anointed,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 116.
Acts of anointing are described in the Gospels in the contexts of :
fasting* (),
healing* (; ; , ),
burial (; ; see Burial of Jesus)
and honoring guests ().
Each context reflects a well-established custom (for healing, cf. ; burial, cf. ; ).
Honoring guests by anointing them was a custom associated with wealth (cf. ; ).
In the case of fasting, Jesus breaks with tradition by instructing those fasting to assume a festive appearance to draw attention away from their act of piety (cf. ; ; ).
Anointing in the New Testament also refers to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which brings understanding (, ). This anointing is not only for kings, priests, and prophets; it is for everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ.
ANOINT, ANOINTING — to authorize, or set apart, a person for a particular work or service (). The anointed person belonged to God in a special sense. The phrases, “the Lord’s anointed,” “God’s anointed,” “My anointed,” “Your anointed,” or “His anointed” are used of Saul (, ), David (), and Solomon (). In the New Testament, all who are Christ’s disciples are said to be anointed; they are God’s very own, set apart and commissioned for service ().
The anointing occurs physically with a substance such as oil, myrrh, or balsam. But this is also a spiritual anointing, as the Holy Spirit anoints a person’s heart and mind with the love and truth of God.1
Anointing in the New Testament also refers to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which brings understanding (, ). This anointing is not only for kings, priests, and prophets; it is for everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. The anointing occurs physically with a substance such as oil, myrrh, or balsam. But this is also a spiritual anointing, as the Holy Spirit anoints a person’s heart and mind with the love and truth of God.1
1 Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).
Anoint has several cultural usages but the ones that seam to fit our context are:
1. Anointing to set aside to God like the vessels in the temple
1. Anointing to set aside to God like the vessels in the temple
2. Refresh the person like the custom of entering your home
2. Refresh the person like the custom of entering your home
3. As a representation of God.
3. As a representation of God.
3. as a representation of God's presence
3. as a representation of God's presence
Here we see an Old Testament reference to a incident that happened with Elijah in 1 King 18. It is interesting that James equated Elijah the prophet to us as having the same nature. Our nature comes from God and God just assumes we have the faith He gave us just like Elijah stopped the rain ans then started the rain. If God just assumes we have the faith then why do we doubt it. If Elijah can stop the rain and we have the same nature then we can too. This verse was not just an arbitrary filler but placed in the right position in the text. The preceding 4 verses emphasis is prayer and verse 16 talking about the effective fervent prayer of the righteous, then James give an example of such a person praying and tells us we are just like Elijah. So when we pray we have the nature of Elijah and he stopped the rain so do not doubt what God can do through your prayers. You may have doubt but God does not.
The only imperative action verb here is “know” not turning back. Knowing that if we turn a sinner is the central action not the actual turning a sinner back. One would assume from turning back would be the true action verb here but is is knowing. You cant turn turn someone back to the lord unless you know and when you know you can save a soul from death. NKJV uses the word wanders from the truth which reminds me of the Israelites wandering in sin in the wilderness. We have to move with a purpose. the purpose God gave us. The great commission in must be a majority of that purpose. If you loose your purpose you will wander from the truth and fall into sin.
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
is a different Greek lemma meaning Vow or Prayer 2 of the three time this word is used it is translated vow. There seems to be a more veracity and stronger feeling to this pray.
the first 'pray' the Greek lemma is actually pray for, or wish. 1 of 7 times it was translated wish instead of prayer. Seams a lighter lighter.
Now the second 'prayer' goes hand in hand with supplication. Making this instance an ongoing cry to God for the church members.
Now this next one is interesting: the first 'prayed' is covered from the first Greek lemma we started with. The next Geek lemma in is actually the word 'earnestly' which means prayer. Said another way "he prayed the prayer" putting some real action on and in our prayer.
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.
If you are cheerful the imperative verb for the action you take is sing psalms.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
1. is anointing to set aside to God like the vessels in the temple
1. is anointing to set aside to God like the vessels in the temple
2. refresh the person like the custom is when they enter your home
2. refresh the person like the custom is when they enter your home
3. as a representation of God's presence
3. as a representation of God's presence
14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Skilled perfume makers blended the choicest spices (myrrh, cinnamon, sweet cane, cassia) in olive oil (). The Lord specified that everything set apart for God—the tabernacle, the ark, the table and its instruments, the lampstand and utensils, the incense altar and main altar, the washbasin—was to be anointed. Aaron the high priest and his sons the priests were also to be anointed (). The result was a holy place with holy furnishings, holy implements of worship, and holy ministers.
Anointing, however, had more than religious or ritualistic significance. Both the Egyptians and the Syrians practiced anointing for medical and cosmetic reasons, and the Scriptures indicate that such nonreligious practice was also a part of Israelite customs (; ; Mi 6:15). In fact, failure to anoint or perfume oneself indicated mourning or distress (; ; ).1
1 Robert D. Culver, “Anoint, Anointed,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 116.
1 Robert D. Culver, “Anoint, Anointed,” Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 116.
DJG
1. Usage in the Gospels
1. Usage in the Gospels
1
LXX LXX Septuagint
1 J. B. Green and H. E. Hearon, “Anointing,” ed. Scot McKnight, Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1992), 11–12.
ANOINT, ANOINTING — to authorize, or set apart, a person for a particular work or service (). The anointed person belonged to God in a special sense. The phrases, “the Lord’s anointed,” “God’s anointed,” “My anointed,” “Your anointed,” or “His anointed” are used of Saul (, ), David (), and Solomon (). In the New Testament, all who are Christ’s disciples are said to be anointed; they are God’s very own, set apart and commissioned for service ().
Anointing in the New Testament also refers to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which brings understanding (, ). This anointing is not only for kings, priests, and prophets; it is for everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. The anointing occurs physically with a substance such as oil, myrrh, or balsam. But this is also a spiritual anointing, as the Holy Spirit anoints a person’s heart and mind with the love and truth of God.1
1 Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison, Thomas Nelson Publishers, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).
15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Here we see an Old Testament reference to a incident that happened with Elijah in 1 King 18. It is interesting that James equated Elijah the prophet to us as having the same nature. Our nature comes from God and God just assumes we have the faith He gave us just like Elijah stopped the rain and then started the rain.
If God just assumes we have the faith then why do we doubt it. If Elijah can stop the rain and we have the same nature then we can too. This verse was not just an arbitrary filler but placed in the right position in the text.
The preceding 4 verses emphasis is prayer and verse 16 talking about the effective fervent prayer of the righteous, then James give an example of such a person praying and tells us we are just like Elijah.
So when we pray we have the nature of Elijah and he stopped the rain. Do not doubt what God can do through your prayers. You may have doubt but God does not.
Significance of Needs
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
The only imperative action verb here is “know” not turning back. Knowing that if we turn a sinner will save his soul is the central action not the actual turning a sinner back. One would assume from turning back would be the true action verb here but is is knowing.
You cant turn turn someone back to the lord unless you know. When you know you can save a soul from death you make your move. If you didn't know you could do something or you didn't believe you could do something then you would not even try to accomplish that task either from ignorance or fear of failure.
19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
NKJV uses the word ‘wanders from the truth' which reminds me of the Israelites wandering in sin in the wilderness. We have to move with a purpose. The purpose God gave us. The great commission in must be a majority of that purpose. If you loose your purpose you will wander from the truth and fall into sin.
There is a parallel verse in -
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
So not only is trying to turn someone from error loving them, it also help you practice reflection that this could be me so you are not tempted. Remember is is with a spirit of gentleness. there is a reason Paul needed to remind us to be gentle.
You seen the warning right “dont put plastic bag over head” really who does that! but someone did and now we have to be reminded of it on every purchase with plastic in it from here till Jesus comes (come quickly lord). can say with confidence that Paul is saying be gentle because he saw people not being gentle.
Not only is trying to turn someone from error loving them it also help you to practice reflection that this could be me.
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
- And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
- Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
By praying then sin is covered. So prayer covers sin and love covers sin. If you have the love of Christ then you will pray and because of your love of God a multitude of sin will be covered through the prayer instigated by love.
By praying then sin is covered. Prayer covers sin and love covers sin. If you have the love of Christ then you will pray and because of your love of God a multitude of sin will be covered through the prayer instigated by love.
Another interesting fact when we look at the the syntax of the scripture
There are 5 different Greek lemmas that are translated from Greek to the English word prayer. ,,, are translated the one word definition Pray.
is a different Greek lemma meaning Vow or Prayer. 2 of the three time this word is used it is translated vow. There seems to be a more veracity and stronger feeling to this pray.
the first 'pray' the Greek lemma is actually pray for, or wish. 1 of 7 times it was translated wish instead of prayer. Seams a lighter lighter.
Now the second 'prayer' goes hand in hand with supplication. Making this instance an ongoing crying out to God for the church members.
Now this next one is interesting: the first 'prayed' is covered from the first Greek lemma we started with. The next Geek lemma in is actually the word 'earnestly' which means prayer. Said another way "he prayed the prayer" putting some real action on and in our prayers.
Forgiveness illustration from Morris Proctor (MO)
Just using the Greek in the New Testament and not looking into the Hebrew there is so much to the word forgiveness that it cannot be explained in one English word.
The EVS has the English word ‘forgiven’ 75 times.
There are 5 different Greek words translated forgive and each of those have other meaning also.
Χαρίζομαι – 10 of the 75 times this Greek word is translated forgive but this word has other meaning like: granted, bestowed, cancelled, give, given, graciously, gave
ἀφίημι – 47 of 75 times this Greek word is translated forgive. But the other ways this word is translated is: leave, left, let, allowed, permit, alone, neglect, and wait.
Two other Greek words translated forgive have other meaning also like: liberty, sent, depart, go, and release.
The last Greek word is in reference to withholding forgiveness was translated once and has several meaning like hold, arrest, take, kept, seized ect.
So putting all these meaning together to get better biblical understanding of forgiveness. Not a Capt Logos understanding.
Example:
AS I study all the Greek words I know that some mean show grace, or cancel a debt. One means to let it go. Maybe Elsa was on to something. Now put all the meaning together and we get a multifaceted understanding to the English word forgive. One word can capture it all so we miss out and a full understanding.
Pastor Matt comes to me while I’m teaching and hands me a bottle of water and I punch him in the face. Pastor Matt looks at me and says Doug I don’t know why you did that but II forgive you.
What has Pastor Matt just done?
He showed me Grace, I offered a curse and Pastor Matt instead of repaying me with a curse he returned a blessing a grace to me.
He also cancelled a debt. The bible say to owe no man anything except love. I owe Pastor Matt Love. But I gave him a punch, at that moment I owed him love and gave him a curse so I have a debt to pay. But Pastor Matt says I want you to know I just cancelled this debt.
What else has he done? He sent away the offence. Standing in the way of Pastor Matt’s and I friendship is this punch in the nose. He said I’m going to let it go. I’m gong to send it away. We haven’t even talked about eh OT but that should remind you of something. Offenses standing in the way of the Israelites relationship with God and God sad just send them away. IE the scape Goat.
All of that is forgiveness not just one of those words/concepts could capture the essence of forgiveness so God chose several words and concepts to explain it. Yet in the English we only have one word forgive. That is why we have to study to show they self-approved rightly diving the word of truth.