Forgiveness
Freely forgiven, freely forgive.
Original Word: נָשָׂא (nasa) / ἄφεσις (aphesis)
Reference: Exodus 34:7 / Luke 4:18
Meaning: To lift, carry away / release, pardon, freedom.
God revealed Himself as the One 'forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin' (Exodus 34:7). Jesus proclaimed 'freedom (forgiveness) for the captives' (Luke 4:18).
Forgiveness is at the heart of the gospel. To forgive is to release the debt someone owes, not because they deserve it, but because of grace.
Scripture shows that forgiveness is costly — it required the blood of Jesus to pay the debt of our sin (Ephesians 1:7). God doesn’t ignore sin; He cancels it at the cross.
Those who receive God’s forgiveness are called to forgive others. Not to minimize wrongs, but to reflect God’s mercy, and to be freed from bitterness.
Forgiveness is both a gift we receive and a command we obey — flowing from God to us, and then through us to others.
God’s Forgiveness Is Costly
Forgiveness is never free. For God to forgive our sin, He bore the cost Himself. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins” (Ephesians 1:7).
At the cross, justice and mercy met. God did not excuse our sin; He paid for it in Christ (Romans 3:25–26).
Forgiveness Freely Given
We are saved by God’s forgiveness, not by our efforts. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).
Jesus taught us to pray daily, “Forgive us our debts” (Matthew 6:12). Forgiveness is the ongoing gift of grace we live under.
Forgive as You’ve Been Forgiven
Those who have been forgiven much are called to forgive much. “Be kind… forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Jesus warns that unforgiveness reveals a heart that has not truly grasped grace (Matthew 18:21–35). To withhold forgiveness is to deny the gospel we claim to believe.
Forgiveness Breaks Chains
Unforgiveness is a prison. It keeps wounds alive and bitterness growing. Forgiveness does not erase justice or consequences, but it frees us from vengeance and resentment.
It is choosing to release the debt, entrusting justice to God, who judges righteously (Romans 12:19).
The Power to Forgive
Forgiving others can feel impossible — but the gospel gives us strength. We forgive not by willpower, but by remembering the cross.
When we look at Christ, who prayed, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34), we find both the reason and the power to forgive others.
Scripture References
- Exodus 34:7
- Luke 4:18
- Matthew 6:12
- Matthew 18:21–35
- Luke 23:34
- Romans 3:25–26
- Romans 12:19
- Ephesians 1:7
- Ephesians 4:32
- 1 John 1:9
Forgiveness is at the core of the Christian life. God forgave us at infinite cost, and now calls us to forgive others. It does not minimize sin, but magnifies grace. Forgiveness breaks chains, heals hearts, and displays the gospel — a reminder that we forgive because we are forgiven.
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