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RenewingMinds
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Forgiveness Distorted
The general public, and many so-called Christians, have grossly misunderstood what the Bible has to say on the subject of forgiveness. Consequently, they often mistake attitudes of tolerance, excusing, being accepting, forgetting, or smothering conflict with forgiveness. This misunderstanding is largely the result of a failure to grasp the Gospel message--either in whole or in part. The biblical Gospel is not about forgiveness of sinful acts and then trying harder to be good; it's about forgiveness and NEW LIFE, lived by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as [in the same manner] the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as [in the same manner] in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 [bracketed comments mine]
To genuinely understand these verses, one must have adequate knowledge of the scope of God's forgiveness toward man. Because there is accountability, God the Father sent God the Son to shed His blood and to die on Calvary's cross on our behalf. By His shed blood, our SINS are forgiven--past, present, and future.
Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of SINS is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of SINS, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7,8 [emphasis mine]
Our SINS are forgiven. The source of our sins--SIN was not forgiven; rather it was condemned and taken into death--Christ's death at Calvary.
And so He condemned SIN in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature [life received from the First Adam] but according to the Spirit [life received from the Last Adam]. Romans 8:3,4 [emphasis and bracketed comments mine]
Much of what passes for Christianity, is not Scriptural Christianity. While believers can take comfort from the knowledge that their SINS can and will never be held against them, God does not "look the other way", "tolerate", "excuse", or "accept" our SIN. We are not free to live as we choose, accepting a low standard of behavior, and then taking refuge in the truth of God's forgiveness while hoping to "do better" next time. Sadly, this is the practice of many so-called Christians and constitutes the legalist's basis for the charge of antinomianism.
But the Apostle Paul wrote:
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death [mortify] the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:12-14Put to death [mortify], therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature... Colossians 3:5
Clearly understanding all that is involved in "put to death" or "mortifying" the sinful nature, SIN, is crucial to Scriptural Christianity. Anything less will only produce substandard and distorted concepts of interpersonal forgiveness as well as unhealthy concepts of self-worth.
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