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Explore the profound act of forgiveness and the freedom and grace it brings. Discover the process of repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Experience the joy and relief of being forgiven and set free.
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The Forgiven Bible Study | The Church of God International, Philippines | May 4, 2019
How are you today? • Are you feeling good and happy?
Today, we will talk about forgiveness • Romans 4:7-8 says: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
When all our sins are forgiven, when all our transgressions are blotted out; then we are in a beautiful state.
Romans 5:9-10 • 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! • 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
We must all feel amazingly good - having the confidence and access to stand before the Lord! How blessed and how wonderful indeed is this feeling!
To be forgiven is a precious and profound act of grace. Most messages on forgiveness centers on the forgiver – why we need to forgive one another.
Matthew 18 • 21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” • 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Matthew 18 • 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.
Matthew 18 • 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. • 26 “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
The servant is in a dire situation. Imagine yourself as the debtor. Some of us may have been in that predicament and may have actually experienced this kind of stress in our lives.
Imagine yourself being dragged to the police station with a charge (may be an estafa charge), held in prison by the fiscal for probable cause, denied of bail, dragged to court for hearing and faced with a potential prison sentence.
Like the errant servant, you are filled with guilt, anger and increasing anxiety. Finally, the big moment arrives. You are brought before the judge with your hands cuffed.
The judge calls the court to order, pulls out your file for sentencing. Your heart starts pounding and your mouth goes dry as you watch him read out the sentence. Your life depends upon his judgment. He calls your name and reads: “The court finds you not guilty of the crime.”
Matthew 18 • 27 The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
Not guilty! A flood of emotions sweep over you and tears of joy well up in your eyes. You sob profusely trying to contain your emotions.
Not guilty! • What a relief! The sheriff comes to unlock your handcuffs and you hear the judge declare, “You are free to go.”
You are free from condemnation! Life, all of a sudden takes on a new meaning. You turn to hug your lawyer and shake the hand of the judge so ever tightly saying a million ‘thanks’!
Can you imagine how that would feel? If you think you have never been in such a situation, think again.
Your Creator died to redeem you from death, He forgave all your sins and set you free. I hope we can feel how our sins are forgiven and how we are freed from the penalty of sin and death!
The Bible, among others, contain two (2) very important words.
These two (2) very important words in the Bible are REPENT and BE BAPTIZED.
Acts 2 record a significant event when the people realized that they have been wrong, that they have violated God’s laws by being a party in crucifying the Lord of Glory. Thus, they cried out ‘what must we do’? Apostle Peter responded, saying: • “Repent and be baptized” (Acts 2).
Acts 2 • 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” • 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. • 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Among the very first recorded messages of Jesus is found in Mark 1:15, • “The Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe the gospel.”
Luke 13 • 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. • 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
What exactly did Jesus mean by “perish”? • To perish means to die, disappear, to be gone into oblivion, forever; as if one has never been born. Jesus warned that if we do not repent, we shall surely die in our sin.
Paul said in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is life eternal in Christ Jesus. Therefore, death is a penalty brought about by sin.
In the beginning, God’s purpose for mankind is to live in abundance with Him and not for mankind to perish. Peter reminds us that it is God’s earnest hope and desire that all mankind attain salvation.
2 Peter 3:9 • The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Therefore, it is important for Christians to fully and clearly understand the following: • What is “to repent”? • What are we “to repent of”?
In the Bible, the word ‘repent’ comes from the Greek word “Metanoeo”, meaning to change one’s mind, purpose and life on account of our acknowledgment as sinners.
Repentance is beyond being sorry, regret or even remorse for doing wrong. It is a genuine change of mind, heart and way of life. True repentance is a complete reversal of one’s attitude and values, i.e. a sincere turning away from sin and living a life towards God.
True repentance consists of the following stages: • Acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty • Recognition of God’s moral laws • Admission of wrong doing • Acceptance the sacrifice of Christ • An actual hatred of sin and to turn away from it • A persistent endeavor to seek righteousness and to be holy as God is holy
1. Acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty • It means that we recognize the existence of God and that He is our Creator, Ruler and Father. We admit and accept the sovereignty of God over our lives.
2. Recognition of God’s moral laws • It means we believe in God’s laws, that they are righteous and true. It further requires that we set aside our own standards of right and wrong, and accept God’s standards of right and wrong because only God’s moral laws (the Ten Commandments), are the true standard of righteousness.
3. Admission of wrong doing • A genuine acceptance of one’s guilt and sinfulness - to judge ourselves guilty before God.
Psalm 32:5 • 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
2 Corinthians 7:10 • Godlysorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Admission of wrong • It means: • 1. Acknowledging that we violated, broke or went against God’s laws; and, • 2. Being honest enough to admit that we are sinners who desperately need redemption
4. Acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ • Romans 10:13 • for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” • Recognition and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our redeemer and savior.
5. Hatred of sin • Psalm 119:128 • and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.
Job 42:5-6 • My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
