Today we will study Forgiveness. From forgiving or to forgive. Before we get started let’s look at the “How”. This should make it easier to understand the rest of this study. The “How” is repentance, let’s look at this word more carefully. We find it is G3341 metanoia pronounced met-an’-oy-ah and means; 1. a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done. So, we see here one needs a change of mind to repent, and needs also to express this change of mind to the one he seeks forgiveness from. Now, forgiveness is G859 aphesis pronounced af’-es-is and means; freedom; (figuratively) pardon. 1. release from bondage or imprisonment. 2. forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty. We see here forgiveness is for the one who has sinned against you, free ourselves from bondage by forgiving them. If they repent not to you, forgiveness from you in heart for them releases you from the bondage they had committed to you, let’s get some examples. Psalms 130 and verse 3 reads.
Psa.130:3] If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?
[4] But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.
Feared is Revered. How can anyone stand before the LORD with iniquities (sin). But the LORD wants our love, thus he forgives us of our sins. The reason for Salvation even from the Old Testament. When Peter was talking boldly to the Pharisees he said this in Acts 5 and verse 29 reads.
Acts 5:29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
[30] The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
[31] Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
See how repentance and forgiveness go hand in hand. A lot of people struggle with this. It seems they have been taught that no matter what, even if someone hasn’t repented to them, that they need to say I forgive you to them. This is not true, we can and should forgive someone in heart. God alone knows your heart, and it is this that the LORD looks upon because only he can judge. Forgiveness is not yours, but from God only, let’s see why. Acts 13 and verse 37 reads.
Acts 13:37] But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
Speaking here of Jesus, who was transfigured and whose body saw no decay.
Acts 13:38] Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
[39] And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
A lot was said just now, because the Son of God was crucified and saw no corruption meaning sin. He was transfigured. This is “How” we have forgiveness of our sins. The law of Moses says that sin can only be freed from bondage by blood. Christ became the sacrifice for one and all times so that we may receive salvation from our sins. Let’s continue with Paul, Acts 26 and verse 18 reads.
Acts 26:18] To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
This is just one of the strongest verses concerning forgiveness one can read. Paul is speaking here, so this “by faith that is in me” pertains to his faith. Likewise, we also have the same faith within us, Jesus Christ. If someone does wrong to you, forgive them, release yourself from the bondage that they have put on you. Anger and hatred turns a heart to darkness, and we see here that it is of Satan. Forgiveness turns us to God the Father and he releases us from the chains that bind us to more sin. We don’t have to wait for them to repent to us, we let it go in our hearts. When we do this, we are freed from the bondage of the darkness that is Satan. God will open their eyes to what it is that they did that was wrong. Now, let’s look at this word Forgive, G863 aphiēmi pronounced af-ee’-ay-mee and means; 2. of teachers, writers and speakers. a. to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit. I took it from number 2 for a reason, as God opens our eyes to his word, he expects us to be teachers to others. Hopefully with patience to our children, family and friends. This word “Forgive” is for our benefit and self-worth. Let’s first go to Matthew 6 and pick it up with verse 9 and it reads.
Mat.6:9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Holy is your name, praying to the Father in heaven.
Mat.6:10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
His kingdom will come to earth again, but we pray for His will and not ours.
Mat.6:11] Give us this day our daily bread.
Give to us your Word every day, and open our eyes to it. Now the reason we came here.
Mat.6:12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Debts is G3783 and means; offense, sin. Forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Mat.6:13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
The Father will never lead anyone to temptation. This should have been translated: Don’t allow us to fall into sin. Remember this is how Jesus recommends us to pray. But let’s keep reading.
Mat.6:14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
[15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
If you don’t release from bonds your fellow man, then neither will your Father release you from your bonds. Because we all sin and sin is against the LORD, even when it is against us. How? Because the LORD dwells within us, thus we should have forgiveness for others. The forgiveness within us is from the LORD. If you have no forgiveness within you, you don’t have the LORD. Jesus would also teach us in Mat.18, let’s pick it up with verse 21 and it reads.
Mat.18:21] Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
[22] Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
That is 490 times. Seems like a lot, but how often have we sinned against the Father ? Let’s keep that in perspective for this lesson. Jesus will now give a parable that makes it very clear.
Mat.18:23] Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
[24] And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
The debt here is our sins, and we are all servants to the LORD.
Mat.18:25] But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
This is being sold to the darkness of Satan. Notice he and his family would be sold into bondage. How important it is for the man of the house to lead his family to the LORD.
Mat.18:26] The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[27] Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
He repented of his sins, and through compassion was forgiven. Compassion is a trademark of God’s children. Remember, forgive is said here, for as if it never happened.
Mat.18:28] But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
The man who the LORD forgave owed very much, this other man only owed pennies. Don’t overlook “Grab by the throat” there was no compassion in him, thus no LORD within.
Mat.18:29] And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
[30] And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
How can one pay what is owed if he is in prison? Remember sin puts us in bondage and forgiveness releases us from that bondage.
Mat.18:31] So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
He was so rough and un-compassionate that it bothered everyone who saw, and they went to the king. Do not overlook they are fellow servants, suppose to be brothers in Christ. Why does this make a difference? We will see in a minute.
Mat.18:32] Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
The king forgave his sins because he repented. Wicked because he was still in darkness to Satan, his heart was not as the kings.
Mat.18:33] Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Remember Acts 26:18 from before, he was delivered back to Satan. Notice here that only the man was delivered unto darkness and not his family.
Mat.18:35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
We will also suffer as this man did if we don’t forgive our brother’s. Now let’s have that talk, what does it mean brother’s or fellow servants. A brother is one of the womb of Jacob’s seed, all twelve tribes. But for us Christians we adopt many others into our faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Those who don’t share our faith are not brothers or fellow servants. Let’s go to Luke 17 and verse 3 reads.
Luke 17:3] Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
Forgive is for us to do, but only if he repents. Now we are told to forgive and this is from the heart and not to the one who repents not. The same for us when we sin against the LORD, if we repent then we are forgiven for forgiveness is of the LORD. If we repent not, then there is no forgiveness.
Luke 17:4] And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Is this too hard for us to do? Are we not sinners also? Did they sin against you more than they sinned against Jesus? They crucified our LORD. They pounded nails through his hands and feet. And he said this while hanging on the cross, Luke 23 and verse 34 reads.
Luke 23:34] Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Jesus, Immanuel (God with us), if he can forgive, then we can. For the flesh is for a short while, but the spirit is forever. Let’s recap, forgiveness from within us for others is of God. It releases us from the bonds of darkness which are of Satan. And allows us while in the flesh to remain free. Love one another as the LORD loves us. But, if someone does not ask for repentance, then rebuke them so that they might see their error and repent. The LORD is within us, and we can forgive them in our hearts and the LORD will see this and love you. Nowhere does it say to forgive your enemies, we have been talking about brothers in Christ. What do I mean when I say forgive them in your hearts? Let’s go to John 14 and verse 23 reads.
John 14:23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit will abode with us. Meaning they will dwell within us. Forgiveness is of the Father, because he only is Judge. This releases us from the bondage that the darkness of Satan has been put on us. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible