What Do I Need To Know About Forgiveness?
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
There are but a few words in the English language that stir up more positive emotions than the word “forgiveness.”
When analyzing the word “forgiveness,” one can clearly see the word “give” in the middle. Forgiveness then is something one gives to another; a gift that keeps on giving.
Forgiveness in the Bible.
Spiritually and Biblically speaking, forgiveness is an act of God Who stands ready to forgive (Psa. 86:5)
The word “forgiveness” appears 117 times in the Bible (48x in the Old Testament; 69x times in the New Testament).
Forgiveness in the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament, seven different Hebrew words are used to describe the action of forgiveness.
The word most commonly used (twenty-five times out of forty-eight) carries the idea of “ceasing to blame; no longer charging to one’s account (1 Kin. 8:30; Dan. 9:19).
Forgiveness in the New Testament.
In the New Testament, four different Greek words are used to express the act of forgiveness.
The word most commonly used (49x times out of 69x) is the word “άφίημι” (aphimei) which means, “to send forth” (Matt. 6:12, 14-15; Jas. 5:15; 1 John 1:9).
Forgiveness in Christ.
Forgiveness is a blessing Christians have in Christ for all spiritual blessings are found in Him (Eph. 1:3).
According to the New Testament, all accountable people stand in need of forgiveness for “all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
The only One capable of providing the forgiveness we need is the Author of eternal salvation, our Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous (Heb. 5:8-9; 1 John 2:1-2).
The “First Law of Pardon.”
In the New Testament, there are two “laws of pardon” revealed.
The “first law of pardon” is connected to one’s initial obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As aforementioned, this took place on the Day of Pentecost when Peter preached the first Gospel sermon in its entirety.
After specifically, forcefully, clearly, and lovingly presenting the fact to those gathered that they killed the Son of God, many were “pricked in the heart” (Acts 2:47). This was a result of hearing the Gospel which produced faith (Rom. 10:17). They cried out, “What shall we do?”
Peter’s response was this:
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
The word “remission” can also be translated “forgiveness” meaning, “a release from a debt; especially understood as the debt of sin” (Strong).
After many other words, Peter told the crowd, “Be saved from this perverse generation” (Acts 2:40). About 3,000 souls “gladly received the word and were baptized” obtaining the forgiveness of their sins and were consequently added to the body (the church) of Christ (Acts 2:47).
The “Second Law of Pardon.”
The “second law of pardon” is offered to Christians who sin after initial obedience to the Gospel (1 John 1:5-9). It must be emphasized that this passage is not written to alien sinners, but Christians.
When a child of God “misses the mark” (1 John 3:4), he or she must handle the sin God’s way through confession, repentance, and prayer. God is “faithful and just” to forgive us and cleanse us. He does this amazing action through the continual cleansing of the blood of His Son.
The same blood that washed away our former sins (Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5) is the same blood that continually cleanses us as Christians as we continually “walk in the light,” i.e live in harmony with the Spirit’s teaching (Psa. 119:105; Rom. 8:1).
Forgiving Others.
As Christians enjoy the forgiveness of their sins, it is also essential to extend forgiveness to others as they meet the conditions:
“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4).
As we have been forgiven, we need to be ready and willing to forgive others to the glory of God:
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32; cf. Col. 3:13).
To obtain the forgiveness of one’s sins from God brings about a “peace that passes understanding” (Phil. 4:6-7).
The Psalmist proclaims,
“As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psa. 103:12).
The prophet Micah exclaimed,
“He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea” (Mic. 7:19).
The apostle Paul, who greatly appreciated the forgiveness of His sins, penned,
"In Him (In Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7; cf. Col. 1:14).
Thanks be to God for the blessing of forgiveness: “The gift that keeps on giving.”
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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Thanks for this discussion of forgiveness. What are your thoughts on self-forgiveness? It's something commonly heard today: you have to forgive yourself. I noticed you didn't mention this in your article (and, in my opinion, rightly so as it's not really a concept found in the Bible). See my thoughts on the topic here: https://open.substack.com/pub/groundedinthebible/p/self-forgiveness?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=l2b9p