Can you comment on God's forgiveness?
Introduction. The Biblical concept of God's forgiveness is fascinating and encouraging. First of all, sin has created the necessity of forgiveness. The prophet stated: "...your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear" (Isa. 59: 2). All accountable individuals have sinned (Rom. 3: 23). Sin is a failure to comply with God's law (1 John 3: 4). Under the Old Covenant Law of Moses, not even the animal sacrifices commanded for sin could by themselves result in forgiveness. "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins," declare the scriptures (Heb. 10: 4).
Jesus' blood is the means of forgiveness. Jesus declared, "For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26: 28). Not only does Jesus' blood make forgiveness possible today, but it also flowed backward, if you will, to cleanse those who were in God's favor before Jesus died (Heb. 9: 15). Jesus' blood is totally sufficient (Heb. 9).
God's forgiveness of man's sins is complete. The Old Covenant anticipated a superior system wherein "iniquities would be remembered no more" (Heb. 8: 8-13; Jere. 31: 31-34). God is literally able to forget or "remember no more" our sins. Peter told sinners to repent and turn again "that your sins may be blotted out..." (Acts 3: 19). "Blot out" is from the Greek word exaleipho which means to smear out completely (see Acts 2: 38 and 1 John 1: 7-10 as to how forgiveness is obtained both by the non-Christian and the Christian).
When forgiveness has not been experienced, guilt should prevail. Scriptural teaching promotes guilt, but it also shows how to obtain forgiveness. Indeed, the concept of God's forgiveness is a moving study. Without the precious blood of Jesus and our obedience, there can be no forgiveness, only guilt.
Jesus' blood is the means of forgiveness. Jesus declared, "For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26: 28). Not only does Jesus' blood make forgiveness possible today, but it also flowed backward, if you will, to cleanse those who were in God's favor before Jesus died (Heb. 9: 15). Jesus' blood is totally sufficient (Heb. 9).
God's forgiveness of man's sins is complete. The Old Covenant anticipated a superior system wherein "iniquities would be remembered no more" (Heb. 8: 8-13; Jere. 31: 31-34). God is literally able to forget or "remember no more" our sins. Peter told sinners to repent and turn again "that your sins may be blotted out..." (Acts 3: 19). "Blot out" is from the Greek word exaleipho which means to smear out completely (see Acts 2: 38 and 1 John 1: 7-10 as to how forgiveness is obtained both by the non-Christian and the Christian).
When forgiveness has not been experienced, guilt should prevail. Scriptural teaching promotes guilt, but it also shows how to obtain forgiveness. Indeed, the concept of God's forgiveness is a moving study. Without the precious blood of Jesus and our obedience, there can be no forgiveness, only guilt.