Forgiveness of Sins (Colossians #25)

Subscribe: Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

Text: Colossians 1:14

The word forgiveness is a wonderful word. It is foregoing and bypassing a debt or crime without charge. The word itself “for” as in forward and “giving” explains the charitable act exactly as it is. Forgiveness of sins is giving sufficiently to cover the debt.

God’s forgiveness of sins is in Jesus Christ

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (vs 14)
Acts 13:38-39 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.
This forgiveness from God came at the cost of the blood of the only begotten Son of God.
Hebrews 9:22-28, 10:14-18
When the Lord forgives sin in Jesus Christ, he doesn’t do it partly and halfway. Romans 4:6-8 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Forgiveness does not eliminate consequences in this life

A person can be forgiven and still suffer consequences. Someone that says they have sinned and may never recover, may never get their family back, may never be looked on favorably again, but their chief concern is between them and God.
David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11-12
Brandt Jean forgives Amber Guyger
- A jury sentenced a former Dallas police officer to 10 years in prison Wednesday for the shooting death of her unarmed neighbor in his home last year. Amber Guyger was convicted of murder the day before by the same jury in the death of Botham Jean. The sentence was met with boos and jeers by a crowd gathered outside the courtroom. But Jean’s younger brother, Brandt Jean, in a victim impact statement after the sentence, told Guyger he forgave her and loved her as he would any other person. He asked the judge if he could hug Guyger, and the two embraced as Guyger sobbed. “I’m not going to say I hope you rot and die, just like my brother — I personally want the best for you,” Brandt Jean, 18, said. “I wasn’t going to say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don’t even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you, because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want.”

Conditions of forgiveness

First condition from God is there must be a basis for Him to forgive. The blood of Jesus Christ is that basis. God is not holy if He simply ignores sin. In Jesus Christ, God the Father has the basis to forgive sinners in a just way without compromising his righteousness.
Conditioned on those who seek out forgiveness
- Just because Jesus Christ shed His blood for you does that mean you were forgiven? Or was there something required of you?
- 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
- Luke 17:1-10 …if he repent… Increase our faith… done that which was our duty.
We mention these conditions because they help you understand what forgiveness is and what it is not.
- Forgiveness is not ignoring sin. Forgiveness is cancelling debt based on acceptable conditions. Forgiveness is peace between warring parties when the conditions for peace have been met.
- Many a victim has been told to forgive where there could be no forgiveness. Sometimes the criminal isn’t looking for forgiveness, so peace between these two parties can’t exist.
Forgiveness from God is not the same as forgiveness between people
- Reason this needs to be said is because we can go overboard on the “God forgave them why can’t you?” Because forgiveness requires conditions be met.
- 1 Corinthians 5:1-5. Carnal Christians are more quick to gloss over the wicked because it makes them feel like good people, but more apt to judge and criticize the spiritual Christian. Sometimes the sin so affects the body of Christ, believers among believers, that it is no longer about the forgiveness of that person but it is about the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ.
- So here is what happens when the conditions are met. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

Ready to forgive

Psalm 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive…
Ready to forgive is the right attitude. If you’re going to be ready to forgive, then some things have to be let go. Ephesians 4:31-32 are things that must be put away.