FORGIVENESS…
1.- IT IS A LEGAL TERM.
It is a Judicial RELEASE from the PUNISHMENT of sin, which is {Spiritual} Death! Forgiveness is Primarily a LEGAL TRANSACTION.
THIS IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND – FOR WE ARE UNDER THE LEGAL SENTENCE OF DEATH WHICH IS ACCORDING TO THE LAW- THE BELIEVERS ARE NOW FORGIVEN AND AGAIN- IT IS BY A-LEGAL TRANSACTION!
THE LAW CAN NEVER SAVE A PERSON FROM THE WRATH OF GOD-
Rom 3:20 -“FOR BY THE LAW IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN.”
Gal 3:11- “NO MAN IS JUSTIFIED NY THE LAW.”
In the Book Of Romans Paul takes pain to SHOW ALL PEOPLE THEIR GUILT AND THEN- GOD’S GRACE.
2. -FORGIVENESS IS ETHICAL.
IT IS RELEASE FROM THE TERRIBLENESS OF SIN THAT AFFECTS A PERSONS CONSCIENCE. THE CHRISTIAN NOW HAS NEW DESIRES TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST BETTER-Phil 3:8, 10. They are a NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST 2 COR 5:17.
3.- FORGIVENESS IS A PERSONAL ISSUE.
FORGIVENESS IS A CESSATION OF GOD’S WRATH UPON THE SINNER.
In the Old Testament in Leviticus 16. IT IS THE PICTURE OF THE DAY OF ATONEMENT-…THE HIGH PRIEST WOULD CHOSE TWO UNBLEMISHED GOATS. THE FIRST ONE HE KILLED AND SPRINKLED THE BLOOD ON THE MERCY SEAT THEN LAYS HIS HANDS ON THE LIVE GOAT AS A SYMBOL…OF CONFESSING THE SINS OF THE WHOLE NATION. THE SECOND GOAT IS BROUGHT OUT TO THE WILDERNESS-INDEED SO DEEP INTO IT …THAT HE CAN NEVER FIND HIS WAY BACK AND LIKE GOD IN CHRIST, IT IS A SYMBOL OF WHAT GOD DOES TAKING OUR SINS AWAY NEVER TO RETURN.
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE BUT NEVERTHELESS JUST A SYMBOL OF BETTER THINGS TO COME AND JOHN THE BAPTIST SAID “BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD.”
JESUS CHRIST- THE PERFECT SACRIFICE AND HIS BLOOD SATISFIED GOD… AND HE TAKES OUR SINS AND DEALS WITH THEM ONCE AND FOR ALL
God through His writers conveys some powerful word pictures to us to convey the miracle of His forgiveness…
- · As great as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy – Ps 103:11
- – As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us—Ps 103:12
- – Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow—Ish 1:18
- · I have swept away your sins like the morning mists—Ish 44:22
- – “Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!”- Micah 7:19
PERSONAL APPLICATION;
1. FAMILIARIZE your self with the three aspects to “Forgiveness”
2. PRAISE GOD for each aspect
3. Incorporate into your Prayer life.
4. SHARE WITH someone else.