Forgiveness Starts with God

Guiding question: Where did forgiveness originate and what is learned form its initiation?

The baseline–is there a Biblical basis or is it just a “nice” thing to do?

The serious need for forgiveness.

The original offense brought death–the great need for forgiveness! Genesis 3

Romans 5–the need for forgiveness is serious. Why? Sin causes separation from God. Your relationship with God is serious.

When we don’t forgive, we are in unbelief. Not in his existence, but we don’t believe we are accountable to him.

The death of Christ provided life–the opportunity for forgiveness granted by grace through faith. Eph. 1:7, 8 & 2:8,9

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God’s Holiness &  Man’s Sin

*God turned his back in judgment.

*Man says, “It doesn’t

matter and turns his

back in unbelief.

*Christ’s death enabled God to turn & Faith

look at the sinner. Forgiveness

Christ’s death enable God to provide forgiveness of sin and faith to believe.

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God did the work to correct the problem. The cross initiated the forgiveness process.

God’s Justification-Based, Merciful-Driven, and Grace-Filled forgiveness Romans 5:1-11

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ‘

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

1. The offended one (God) moved first. Rom 5:8, 10. He was totally innocent.

2. Offended one moved when the offensive ones were sinners. Rom. 5;8.10 We have offended him in every way possible. We have sanitized the word “sinner”. Sinner is vile, putrid

3. Offended one did what was necessary. Rom. 5:6, 8-10
The level of the cross being necessary to forgive, shows the level of the offense against God.

4. Offended one recognized the seriousness of the situation. Rom 5:6, 8-10

Our offense to God is so huge that he turned his back on us.

Guiding question: Where did forgiveness originate and what is learned form its initiation?

1. God originated it.
2. We see how much God loves us and wants a relationship with us. We see our value to him.
When I consider this, it is overwhelming to me.

Question: How does the Biblical answer to this guiding questions help us understand the concept of forgiveness and what that means to our understanding, application, and practice of forgiveness?

(The following is my notes)

*We need to demonstrate this to others. We move 1st. I should be willing to forgive others if I accept God’s forgiveness. I do it because I value the relationship. Forgiveness is for their good as well as for my relationship with God.

(From the speaker)

*Forgiveness is a responsibility and privilege. God’s grace makes it possible.

1 John 4:7-11 When we demonstrated love, we show God’s love to others.

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