Do you want to be forgiven?
Every person has fallen short of the glory of Yahweh and sinned. And as believers, we all want to be forgiven of our sins! So what do the Scriptures say we need to do for Yahweh to forgive us of our sins? It is clear, if we want Yahweh to forgive us of our sins, we must start by forgiving others!
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts (i.e. trespasses), as we forgive our debtors (i.e. trespassers). 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Luke 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
And not only are believers to forgive others, but forgive others just as Messiah forgave us. And Messiah forgave us while we were yet sinners and rebellious against Him!
Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of Yahweh, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Messiah forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Romans 5:8 But Yahweh commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to Elohim by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Daniel 9:9 To the Sovereign our Elohim belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
It is clear that we need to forgive others if we want Yahweh to forgive us. But what if someone continuously sins against us? At what point are we allowed to stop forgiving?
Luke 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Sovereign, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Yah’shua saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
The answer is that we are supposed to forgive those who sin against us no matter how many times. But is it really Scriptural that we should tell someone we forgive them when they are not repentant? It is one thing if someone is truly sorry and wants to change their sinful behavior to doing good works. But what if someone is not repentant?
Before we answer that question, we need to understand repentance. It simply means in Scriptural terms changing a sinful behavior for a behavior of good works! Repentance is changing our ways to Yahweh’s way!
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Matthew 3:8 “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (NKJ)
So, do we really need to forgive someone who is unrepentant? The answer is that we do not forgive them directly. We forgive through YahwehShua! That is we take their sins to YahwehShua asking Him to forgive them. If the offending person repents between now and the end of the ages (i.e. The Last Great Day) and goes to YahwehShua for forgiveness, our forgiveness is applied. Remember, all judgment has been given to Messiah.
John 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance Yahweh winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Few realize that Messiah’s forgiveness of those who impaled Him was not toward those people, but toward Yahweh. Many wrongly believe that He forgave them directly, but He did not!
Luke 23:34 Then said Yah’shua, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Also Stephen’s stoning as recorded in Acts 7 shows that he also did not directly forgive those who were stoning him, but prayed to the Sovereign that He would forgive them.
Acts 7:60 And he (Stephen) kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Sovereign, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
When we take forgiveness to Messiah we no longer worry about what our offender did. YahwehShua will deal with it. Remember, all judgment has been given to Messiah. Even if we should die and their repentance should come later, we understand that we did forgive them. We also understand that forgiveness is kept by YahwehShua for us and we have obeyed His commandments without giving the unrepentant sinner the license to continue to sin.
Remember, forgiveness and repentance pertains to sin. Just because someone gets their feelings hurt does not mean others have “sinned” against them. We must be sure repentance is warranted, otherwise, apologies, not repentance, are required. For example, being late for an appointment, overspending the family budget, or breaking a valuable object are not sins unless done intentionally.
Let us take a look at forgiveness from a different angle. Not only are we supposed to forgive others, but we need to forgive ourselves! Remember our sins have been forgiven after repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16). And not only forgiven but forgotten by the Almighty!
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
Psalm 103:11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so Yahweh pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
We do not need to repent again of those sins! Yahweh has forgiven us and literally forgotten our sins. If we continue to repent of our past sins that were forgiven, we make Yahweh a liar concerning His promises. And we know that Yahweh cannot lie!
Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of Yahweh, and an apostle of YahwehShua Messiah, according to the faith of Yahweh’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after holiness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which Yahweh, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
If we find ourselves not able to believe that we have been forgiven, we are giving an opening to Satan. Satan is the father of lies and loves to accuse us of our past forgiven sins day and night before the Almighty. If we believe that we cannot be forgiven, it is coming from the father of lies, Satan himself.
John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he (Satan) is a liar, and the father of it.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our Elohim, and the power of his Messiah: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our Elohim day and night.
After our repentance, baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit, we will continue to sin. As much as believers try, the carnal nature of man is impossible to overcome completely. As those sins occur, we do need to continue to confess and repent of those new sins so we can be forgiven.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
David is a Scriptural example of a saint who sinned greatly (i.e. adultery and murder) but also repented greatly. And because of his repentance, David will be prince under Yahweh Messiah in the millennial kingdom (Ezekiel 34:25 and 37:25).
Psalm 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O Elohim, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Do you know that Yahweh links a lack of forgiveness with having a lack of love? Forgiveness is an act of love. And we know Yahweh’s greatest commandment is love! All of the law and prophets culminate in loving Yahweh and loving our neighbor.
Luke 7:46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
1 John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Matthew 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Yah’shua said unto him, Thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
And if we don’t have love, including forgiving others, John and Paul clearly write that we don’t know Yahweh and are just a bunch of noise to Him.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of Yahweh; and every one that loveth is born of Yahweh, and knoweth Yahweh. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not Yahweh; for Yahweh is love.
1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
And not only are we supposed to love those who are nice to us, we are supposed to love our enemies (including those who sin directly against us). This is so we can be children of the Most High, to be perfect even as the Father is perfect, and to be merciful as our Father.
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
The parable of the Unforgiving Servant shows us what Yahweh will do with those who are unforgiving. Yahweh has reserved the Lake of Fire/Outer Darkness…where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for all those who are not forgiving.
Matthew 18:23 therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Yahweh knows the importance of forgiveness. In a way, forgiving others of their sins toward us is really meant to help us. Those who don’t forgive are usually the ones who suffer. If we don’t forgive others of their sins towards us, our carnal nature will get angry. And anger unchecked turns into bitterness.
It is amazing how bitterness can destroy a person. The person who has been sinned against but unforgiving suffers while the person who committed the sin is usually not affected. Again, for our own well being, Yahweh wants us to forgive and seek peace with all men.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Sovereign: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of Yahweh; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Psalm 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith Yahweh.
It is easy to ask Yahweh to forgive us of our sins and accept us when we sin. But when others sin, our carnal nature does not want to forgive but wants to get angry (see book of Jonah). There is much power in anger, so it takes a lot of determination to have mercy through forgiveness.
So what is wrong with getting angry? Yes, there is a righteous type of anger, but most anger is not righteous anger. Most anger is based on our self-interest without consideration of Yahweh. Sadly, people tend to justify their anger, saying it is someone else’s fault, instead of accepting responsibility for it.
So what does Yahweh’s Word say about anger? It is clear through His Word that we need to put off anger, being tenderhearted and forgiving one another. If we don’t, we open the door to Satan.
Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as Yahweh for Messiah’s sake hath forgiven you.
Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.
And Yahweh’s Word contains principles regarding how to handle anger. Yahweh does not want us to simply react in anger to others’ sinful actions. Instead we should respond with patience, wisdom, and a gentle spirit, knowing that Messiah forgave us while we were yet sinners.
Proverbs 14:29 He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.
James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of Yahweh.
Man has been given free will including a choice to obey Yahweh and forgive others or to get angry and bitter, which leads to sinful behavior. After all this Scriptural evidence, what will we do when someone sins against us?
If we decide to forgive sins committed toward us, there are two ways to handle forgiveness. If the person who sinned against us is repentant, then we need to forgive directly, not matter how many times that person sins against us. If the person who sinned against us is not repentant, we must forgive the person’s trespasses indirectly through YahwehShua. Again we need to do this no matter how many times that person sins against us.
If we don’t forgive, we will get angry and that anger may lead to bitterness (Hebrews 12:15). Anger and bitterness are conditions that will cause us to sin and ultimately separate us from the Almighty.
HalleluYah
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