The word “forgiveness” is an English word and thus used in routine human communication. Hence, it has become easier to adopt the meaning of the word in English lexicon whilst examining the subject of forgiveness from the Bible.
The believer must place premium on the credibility of the written word thereby allowing it interpret itself. There are a number of misconceptions surrounding the subject of forgiveness, which is the reason a good number have grown up to assume that there is a prayer we pray to God where He forgives us only when we pray. It will help our understanding when we find out why, how and when God forgives.
The word “forgiveness” from the original languages implies to send away and this will be explained progressively.
Observe that the subject of forgiveness is largely explained from the epistles; letters to the churches. These letters emphasize what the believer has in relation to “what God has wrought in Christ for us.”
This forms the basis for which the epistles focus more on terms of identification of the believer with Christ. Paul therefore wrote in his letter to the Church in Ephesus;
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Observe the phrase “spiritual blessings in heavenly places”, where according to the King James Version of the Bible, the word “places” is italicized. The implication is that the word “places” was imputed or added by the translators. In other words, we can render Ephesians 1:3 as “spiritual blessings in heavenly in Christ”.
The word spiritual was translated from a Greek word that implies things of, or that pertain to the spirit.
The word blessings was translated from a Greek word which does not imply anything material but rather implies “fine speaking” or “to speak well of”. The word “heavenly” was translated from a word that implies that which is not earthly or ephemeral.
Hence, Paul in proceeding verses identifies the blessings the believer has in Christ:
•Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
•Ephesians 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
•Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
•Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
•Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
•Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
•Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Observe that forgiveness is taught in the past tense here (verse 7) and same goes with all that Paul writes about the believer.
Thus, from Ephesians 1, we see a common feature in what Paul explained to believers; making reference to a past tense act that was wrought in Christ. This explains who the believer is identified as today.
Hence, forgiveness is taught as a work of Grace that is, it comes undeserving and unconditionally and by the blood of Jesus.
This is the basis upon which the believer must understand the subject of forgiveness as seen in the light of the epistles.
CONFESSION:
I uphold the credibility of the written word; I reckon with what God has wrought in Christ for me!
For Further Study:
Ephesians 2:1-22; Colossians 1:9-14; Colossians 2:13; Romans 4:1-12; Hebrews 8:10-12