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Thursday, April 4, 2013

The Key to Forgiveness (Part 1)


{This is the beginning of a 5-part series; Come back next Thursday for more}

Most of us have heard the importance of forgiveness, but when we try to apply forgiveness, it seems an insurmountable task. Perhaps this is because we do not truly understand forgiveness.

We cannot grasp the concept of forgiveness by looking it up in Webster’s dictionaries. We cannot grasp the concept of forgiveness by looking at those around us. However, we can get a clearer understanding of forgiveness by looking into God’s Word; we can see a pattern of true forgiveness by looking at the One Who is always consistent in forgiveness. So please join me as we search God’s Word to get a clear definition of true forgiveness.

God’s Character of Forgiveness
(emphasis added)
“ If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, Thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.” (Psalm 85:2)

“For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.” (Psalm 86:5)

 “{God} forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;” (Psalm 103:3)

 “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34)

 “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.” (Matthew 9:6)

 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:34)   

 “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.” (Acts 5:31)   

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) 

From these few verses, we gain that . . .
     ~God has full power to forgive any and every sin – purposed sin and ignorant sin (Psalm 85:2, Matthew 9:6, Luke 23:34)
     ~God is always listening/waiting for us to ask His forgiveness (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 86:5, 1 John 1:9)
     ~God freely forgives when we ask His forgiveness (Psalm 86:5,
     ~God freely forgives when we do not deserve forgiveness (Luke 23:34)
     ~God freely forgives and heals (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 103:3)
     ~God freely forgives and cleanses (1 John 1:9)
     ~God freely forgives and covers (Psalm 85:2)
     ~God freely forgives and forgets (Jeremiah 31:34)
     ~God made it possible for every man to be forgiven by Him (Acts 5:31)

God’s forgiveness is directly linked to His love for us – not what we do for Him.

. . . to be continued next week . . .

4 comments:

  1. I have wanted to do a study on forgiveness before, but haven't gotten around to it. You have inspired me to get started! I just realized how powerful and how amazing forgiveness really is...for a pure God to forgive us all the wrong things we have ever done.
    I really look forward to next week!

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  2. Thank you for commenting, Miriam!

    I would love to see what you come up with if you do your study! :)

    It is amazing to reflect on the greatness of God's forgiveness - and then humbling to realize how little WE show Christ-like forgiveness!!!! This is definitely an area that I need more work in!

    ~Amanda

    "Herein is love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10

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  3. What a wonderful post, Amanda! To think how much we say, do, read, watch, and think that needs forgiveness - and yet God does it! Surely, His love and mercy to us is wonderful!

    Thank you for sharing what God has been teaching you recently! :-) I am looking forward to the future posts.

    Love,
    Patience

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  4. Thank you, Patience! We do indeed take God's forgiveness so much for granted!

    I enjoy sharing with y'all and look forward to one day (soon?) that I can read what God's been teaching you on your blogs! :)

    ~Amanda

    "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." Psalm 37:3

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by! I pray that you have found something that encourages you today. Thank you for taking the time to give me a little comment - they always brighten my day. :) I usually stop by and reply to as many comments as I can, but sometimes it takes me a week or so. But if you asked a question, be sure to check back!

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)