God's Forgiveness

Forgiveness is one of the most essential components of the Christian life.  Unfortunately, forgiveness is often overused in Christian circles while being undervalued and underemphasized with unbelievers.  However, the forgiveness of God, given through the work of Jesus, is not only of great importance, it is life-changing. The realization that we need forgiveness is often what prompts belief in the first place, while the continuation of forgiveness is what keeps us growing in sanctification.

Essentially, forgiveness is mercy when judgement is due, amnesty when punishment is owed, and pardoning a just sentencing.  The act of forgiveness, in the highest sense, is God's relenting from His right and just judgment of sinners because of the perfect atoning sacrificial work of His Son, Jesus.  This is forgiveness.

Man's acts of righteousness are worthless (Isa. 64:6).  No one, not one, is without sin's stain (Rom. 3:10). God is more than holy and righteous to judge mankind for their sin.  And although God would be  just and  right to punish us for our sin, He, by His Son's atoning death on the cross, has cleansed us of our sin and justified us wholly by His holy work: forgiveness (Rom. 3:22-24).

To be sure, forgiveness is not without its requirements.  To use economic language, we must accept the forgiveness of God for it to be applied to our accounts.  If we do not accept His forgiveness, our debt remains, and the reckoning for that debt is sure.  Accepting the forgiveness of God is the sine qua non of faith.  It is the fundamental component of sincere faith.

However, the story of forgiveness does not end when we accept forgiveness.  Forgiveness is to pass through us.  We need to forgive ourselves, as well as forgive others.  In this way, forgiveness is made complete through us.  Although God's forgiveness is not lacking in anything, we still need to express the forgiveness not only to ourselves but to the people around us.  Forgiveness takes an attitude of grace, mercy, and love.  But when we live lives of forgiveness, we will be continually blessed by the infusion of His nature that forgiveness engages.