sf978 - A Biblical View Of Forgiveness (Luke 7 36)
Luke 7:36-50
Introduction
Without a Biblical view of guilt there can be no understanding of forgiveness. The world robs people of true forgiveness because they try to rid themselves of guilt by claiming they are victims of their sin or that their sin is a sickness.
In our text the woman came to the best place for guilty people, she came to Jesus.
Verse 47 is key; those who realize the depths of their lostness love Him the most.
Jesus ties our understanding of forgiveness with our capacity to love Him.
1A. The Completeness of Forgiveness of Sin (Colossians 2:13-14)
You cannot enjoy fellowship with someone if there is guilt between you.
Human pride calls for self-payment we continually punish ourselves, this is pride!
It is our desire to pay for our own sin and it devalues the cross. This is false humility.
1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.
Grace and mercy are pride killers.
1B. At the moment of salvation ALL of your sins are forgiven (2:13)
2B. All your sins and their punishment is wiped out (2:14)
Roman custom was that every criminal had a document with his crimes written on it posted outside his cell. Once he had served the punishment for his crime it was stamped “paid in full.” He would keep it with him at all times to prove he had paid his debt.
That is what Jesus did for us.
John 19:30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
Isaiah 43:25 "I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Micah 7:19 He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea.
2A. The Confession of Forgiven Sins (1 John 1:7-9)
A saved person must confess sin, he cannot live with unconfessed sin in his life.
“The sins of the ungodly plunge the spear into Jesus’ side but the sins of a Christian plunges a dagger into Jesus’ heart.” Spurgeon
Confess (present tense) agree with God about your sin.
We see it as the garbage it is!
Colossians 2:6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,
Maturity means we sin less.
3A. The Consequences of Forgiven Sin (Hebrews 12:10-11)
If we are forgiven why are there still consequences for our sin?
Forgiven sin has only earthly or temporal consequences and you have God’s grace in them.
Consequences of unforgiven sin have to deal with punishment.
Consequences of forgiven sin deals with discipline.
Why are there consequences?
To demonstrate the evil of sin.
God does not take sin lightly.
To keep us humble.