The Greek word in the Bible translated as “forgiveness” means “to let go”, as when a person does not demand payment for a debt.
In the Old Testament the cost of forgiveness to the sinner was prominent. In Leviticus 4 & 5 Moses taught the Israelites God’s requirements for seeking His forgiveness for their sins:
Lev 5:5,6 When anyone is guilty … he must confess in what way he has sinned and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to the Lord a female lamb … as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin … and he shall be forgiven.
But the prophets understood from God that forgiveness can never be bought or earned. No amount of remorse or blood could remove even one transgression. Forgiveness is a gift that flows from the heart of God, pouring out his love for his people in grace and mercy.
Neh 9:17 & 31 “ But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love … but in your great mercy you did not put an end to them(our people) or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.”
Mic 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of (your people)? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
In the New Testament we learn the true cost of the forgiveness of our sins – the sacrificial death of the holy Son of God himself on our behalf. WHY? Heb. 9:22 tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (Rom 6:23 – the wages of sin is death)
Jesus said in Matt 26:28 – “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” This is the heart of the Gospel by which salvation is brought to lost sinners.
In Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Eph 1:7 “ In him we have redemption through his bloo the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.”
Col 2:13 – “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.”
WHEN? Rev. 13:8 says, “… the Lamb having been slaughtered from the foundation of the world…”
We were born sinners against God, but He loved us so much that, instead of exacting righteous punishment for our sins, He sent Christ, his Son, to remove the just punishment from us and reconcile us to Himself as if we had never sinned. He “let go”.
Forgiveness has little to do with the offender but everything with the heart of the One who forgives. Mercy is a pre-requisite for forgiveness and is itself the fruit of agape love. Granting forgiveness is not condoning the wrong or pretending nothing happened. It is letting go of the hurt, disappointment, resentment and need for restitution, choosing to not allow the wrong to affect your inner life. It is built on compassion for the offender, it is Jesus praying that God will forgive us and protect us from the hurtful consequences of this wrong done to God.
Jesus is the ultimate example of what forgiveness looks like. He gave up everything to remove the consequences of our wrongs – carried them Himself, so that we may receive forgiveness and be set free from guilt and bondage and, ultimately, our sinful nature.
In the introduction to his book, The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee wrote:” God has been completely satisfied by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.” Our debt has been paid in full. We are free.
So let us live in this forgiveness day by day and not allow the enemy to bring even the shadow of guilt over our minds or hearts for a moment. We have been eternally reconciled to God.
Father God, thank you that You are Love. Thank You that You forgave us all our rebellion and failures before You made the world, so that nothing remains that can separate us from You. Help us to live close to You every moment of this day. Amen
Elzeth Malherbe