Forgiveness is not automatic. Through the blood of Jesus, every person alive has the
opportunity to receive forgiveness, but it does not happen involuntarily. The Bible makes it
clear that there are some conditions we must meet to obtain God's forgiveness. Let's look
at the following verses to find out what we must do to obtain forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness."
Hosea 14:2-3 "Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: 'Forgive all our sins and
receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips...We will never again say 'our gods'
to what our own hands have made'" (NIV).
From the above verses, the first thing we see is that we must confess our sins. We must
recognize where we have erred, and hurt God by our actions. When confessing your sins to
God, be as specific as you can. General confessions do very little to convict of sin, or to
convince God of your seriousness, or to bring healing in those areas.
Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him
return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly
pardon."
Ezekiel 18:21, "But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all
my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die."
Our next step in receiving forgiveness, is to turn from our wicked ways and change them.
We may struggle with a certain sin, but if our intent is truly to change our ways and
overcome that sin, God will give us the grace to do it. Many want to receive forgiveness from
God without changing their ways. God knows the difference between those who are sincere
and those who are using Him to temporarily ease their conscience. He is not mocked or
deceived. If one comes to him in sorrow, humility and sincerity, His grace is abundant.
However, He has little patience for those who would abuse His mercy. Search your heart
and ask God to give you the grace for true repentance, and the power of the Holy Spirit to
make the changes you need to do. His greatest joy is to help those who repent in sincerity.
This should include asking forgiveness of those you have wronged and making restitution
to them. True repentance will always be accompanied by corresponding actions.
Along these lines, the Bible also makes it clear that we are to "make right" any situations
where we have failed in our responsibilities to others.
Matthew 5:23-25 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your
brother has something against you; Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way; first
be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary
quickly, while you are on your way with him; lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, and
the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Romans 13:7 "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then
revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor" (NIV).
If we are sincere in our repentance we must be willing to pay the penalty for our crimes
against others. This could include restoration of any goods, monies, or services that were
taken wrongfully, (or never given at all, if we owed them). The Lord says to "agree with our
adversary." If we are in dispute with someone, that means we must admit to what we have
done and quit trying to defend ourselves. If we are in the wrong (even partially) it is better
to take responsibility for it, than to argue for our rights.
Many of us have failed to give honor and respect to those who are due it. That includes
elders of any kind. They may be our parents, those in ministry, government leaders, our
employers, those who are merely older than us in general, etc. Even if we don't agree with
all their decisions, we are to honor and respect them for the office and position they hold.
We are to refer to them with respect, both to their face and behind their back.
Furthermore, God also commands us to treat everyone with common courtesy and respect
regardless of who they are, because they are created in His image. Again, we do not have to
concur with everything they do, but we owe them basic respect, out of respect for God. In
fact, how much we really respect God will be evident in how we treat others.
If you have failed to show proper respect and/or honor for someone, it is your
responsibility to apologize (if applicable), and to change your ways. No one can do this for
you. If you do not change your ways, you will face the inevitable slide into prideful
self-deception and self-righteousness, both of which are an abomination to God.
Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive
you: But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses."
Mark 11:25-26 (Amplified) "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against
anyone, forgive him and let it drop--leave it, let it go--in order that your Father Who is in heaven
may also forgive you your (own) failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not
forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings."
These verses are perhaps some of the least applied Scriptures in the Kingdom of God.
Somehow, many of us are deceived into thinking that we do not have to take them literally.
However, Jesus emphasized this principal over and over again in His parables and
teachings. If we receive God's forgiveness, it is our duty to forgive those who have wronged
us. The two are inseparable. Jesus said plainly that God will not forgive us, if we do not
forgive others. Many Christians are full of condemnation and guilt because they still feel
the weight of their sins, even though they've asked God to forgive them. Could it be that
they have not been able to receive God's forgiveness because they still have bitterness in
their own hearts toward others? Sometimes, we may carry bitterness and hurt so long, that
we no longer even recognize it as a problem. It becomes a part of our very nature. We may
not scheme for revenge, but our souls are clouded with a quiet, persistent bitterness.
Some of us have been betrayed in devastating ways, and have suffered profoundly at the
hand of abusive people. Others have been horribly mistreated by those of other races,
nations, and religions. If you are suffering with deep unhealed wounds, know the Lord has
also been hurt with your pain. He loves you and wants to heal you. It is because of His
great love for you that He is calling you to forgive. It is your only release from the emotional
prison that you are now in.
You do not have to live in a continual state of submission to evil emotions. You can be free
of them, through the power of the cross. "Behold, I make all things new" says the Lord. You
can be made new on the inside, and no longer staggering under a load of bitterness,
hatred, pain, and depression. God wants to set you free right now! Begin now with the
following suggested prayer.
opportunity to receive forgiveness, but it does not happen involuntarily. The Bible makes it
clear that there are some conditions we must meet to obtain God's forgiveness. Let's look
at the following verses to find out what we must do to obtain forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness."
Hosea 14:2-3 "Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: 'Forgive all our sins and
receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips...We will never again say 'our gods'
to what our own hands have made'" (NIV).
From the above verses, the first thing we see is that we must confess our sins. We must
recognize where we have erred, and hurt God by our actions. When confessing your sins to
God, be as specific as you can. General confessions do very little to convict of sin, or to
convince God of your seriousness, or to bring healing in those areas.
Isaiah 55:7 "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him
return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly
pardon."
Ezekiel 18:21, "But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all
my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die."
Our next step in receiving forgiveness, is to turn from our wicked ways and change them.
We may struggle with a certain sin, but if our intent is truly to change our ways and
overcome that sin, God will give us the grace to do it. Many want to receive forgiveness from
God without changing their ways. God knows the difference between those who are sincere
and those who are using Him to temporarily ease their conscience. He is not mocked or
deceived. If one comes to him in sorrow, humility and sincerity, His grace is abundant.
However, He has little patience for those who would abuse His mercy. Search your heart
and ask God to give you the grace for true repentance, and the power of the Holy Spirit to
make the changes you need to do. His greatest joy is to help those who repent in sincerity.
This should include asking forgiveness of those you have wronged and making restitution
to them. True repentance will always be accompanied by corresponding actions.
Along these lines, the Bible also makes it clear that we are to "make right" any situations
where we have failed in our responsibilities to others.
Matthew 5:23-25 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your
brother has something against you; Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way; first
be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary
quickly, while you are on your way with him; lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, and
the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Romans 13:7 "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then
revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor" (NIV).
If we are sincere in our repentance we must be willing to pay the penalty for our crimes
against others. This could include restoration of any goods, monies, or services that were
taken wrongfully, (or never given at all, if we owed them). The Lord says to "agree with our
adversary." If we are in dispute with someone, that means we must admit to what we have
done and quit trying to defend ourselves. If we are in the wrong (even partially) it is better
to take responsibility for it, than to argue for our rights.
Many of us have failed to give honor and respect to those who are due it. That includes
elders of any kind. They may be our parents, those in ministry, government leaders, our
employers, those who are merely older than us in general, etc. Even if we don't agree with
all their decisions, we are to honor and respect them for the office and position they hold.
We are to refer to them with respect, both to their face and behind their back.
Furthermore, God also commands us to treat everyone with common courtesy and respect
regardless of who they are, because they are created in His image. Again, we do not have to
concur with everything they do, but we owe them basic respect, out of respect for God. In
fact, how much we really respect God will be evident in how we treat others.
If you have failed to show proper respect and/or honor for someone, it is your
responsibility to apologize (if applicable), and to change your ways. No one can do this for
you. If you do not change your ways, you will face the inevitable slide into prideful
self-deception and self-righteousness, both of which are an abomination to God.
Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive
you: But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your
trespasses."
Mark 11:25-26 (Amplified) "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against
anyone, forgive him and let it drop--leave it, let it go--in order that your Father Who is in heaven
may also forgive you your (own) failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if you do not
forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings."
These verses are perhaps some of the least applied Scriptures in the Kingdom of God.
Somehow, many of us are deceived into thinking that we do not have to take them literally.
However, Jesus emphasized this principal over and over again in His parables and
teachings. If we receive God's forgiveness, it is our duty to forgive those who have wronged
us. The two are inseparable. Jesus said plainly that God will not forgive us, if we do not
forgive others. Many Christians are full of condemnation and guilt because they still feel
the weight of their sins, even though they've asked God to forgive them. Could it be that
they have not been able to receive God's forgiveness because they still have bitterness in
their own hearts toward others? Sometimes, we may carry bitterness and hurt so long, that
we no longer even recognize it as a problem. It becomes a part of our very nature. We may
not scheme for revenge, but our souls are clouded with a quiet, persistent bitterness.
Some of us have been betrayed in devastating ways, and have suffered profoundly at the
hand of abusive people. Others have been horribly mistreated by those of other races,
nations, and religions. If you are suffering with deep unhealed wounds, know the Lord has
also been hurt with your pain. He loves you and wants to heal you. It is because of His
great love for you that He is calling you to forgive. It is your only release from the emotional
prison that you are now in.
You do not have to live in a continual state of submission to evil emotions. You can be free
of them, through the power of the cross. "Behold, I make all things new" says the Lord. You
can be made new on the inside, and no longer staggering under a load of bitterness,
hatred, pain, and depression. God wants to set you free right now! Begin now with the
following suggested prayer.
| Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. |
| The Lords Church.org Ministries Website All Rights Reserved 2005-2008 |
| “Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.” |
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