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The New Testament uses two words for forgiveness. One word has roots in grace. Let’s read Ephesians 4:32 . . .
Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (ESV).
The way Christ forgave us is unique. It means “cancel the debt.” Because of the blood of Christ our sins are canceled, the debt paid.
“Thank you, Jesus,” we are quick to say, but the New Testament also teaches that as Christ has canceled or forgiven our debt, we must now cancel/forgive/pardon those who have sinned against us.
Now, wait a minute.
Does this mean the person who stole my money, slandered my name, killed a friend, or perpetrated a hate crime must be forgiven? The answer is yes. Even if those who sin against us are unrepentant, as our bitterness can have far greater impact than the original offense.
This brings us to the second word used in the New Testament for forgiveness. Let’s read 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 (ESV).
While the first word in the Greek means to pardon or cancel the debt, the second word means to “throw it away.”
All of us want our sins canceled and thrown away, but our problem is canceling and throwing away the sins of others. Yes, there are significant questions of justice, making peace, reparations, and enabling, but the two words of forgiveness mean what they mean . . .
Cancel and throw it away.
Let’s remember a phrase from Ephesians 4:32, “As God in Christ forgave you.”
Jesus gives a similar teaching in the Sermon on the Mount . . .
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15, ESV).
As Christ has canceled our sin and thrown it away, we must cancel the debts of others and throw them away. This means we say, “I forgive you,” and also, “I will never bring up this sin again in a conversation because I have thrown it away.”
The concept of forgiveness is unique because it’s absolute, leaving no room for revenge. Christianity is grace, while many other religions and philosophies of life are take-action- in-anger.
Perhaps you now think like the apostles after they heard Jesus talk about His blood (and by connotation forgiveness) when they said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” (John 6:60, NLT)
Two words for forgiveness: one means to give grace, and the other to forget about it!
Reflect on these two words in connection with a relationship that you have that lacks peace. Considering a spouse, a friend, a co-worker, a parent, or a child — how can these two words bring freedom and restoration?
This is the Christmas message.
Often, forgiveness doesn’t make sense, but neither did the virgin birth — difficult but absolutely needed.