A Few Biblical Facts About… FORGIVENESS

A Few Biblical Facts About… FORGIVENESS DEFINITION “To release, as from bondage or prison.” “To pardon or let go, as of a debt that had never occurred in the first place.”

A Few Biblical Facts About… Ê The only way for sin to be removed… it is a “debt” that cannot be repaid (i.e. worked off) FORGIVENESS

For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about; but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due.

But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered.”

Rom 4:2-8 “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”

A Few Biblical Facts About… Ê The only way for sin to be removed… it is a “debt” that cannot be repaid (i.e. worked off). Ë Sacrificial blood must be offered. FORGIVENESS

Heb 9:22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

A Few Biblical Facts About… Ê The only way for sin to be removed… it is a “debt” that cannot be repaid (i.e. worked off). Ë Sacrificial blood must be offered. Ì Animal blood is insufficient. FORGIVENESS

Heb 10:4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

A Few Biblical Facts About… Í Christ’s blood had to be offered. FORGIVENESS

Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

A Few Biblical Facts About… Í Christ’s blood had to be offered. Î To be forgiven, we must be willing to forgive others. FORGIVENESS

Matt 6:14-15 For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

A “blessing” we do not deserve. A “necessity” without which we would not be able to see heaven. A “reality” those in Christ know. A “gift” still waiting to be given those outside of Christ. FORGIVENESS

We are assembled here this morning as God’s forgiven children to worship Him. He is worthy to be worshiped as our great Forgiver!! FORGIVENESS