Forgiveness

[B-A-C]

Unlike repentance, which is never a popular subject, forgiveness is a very popular subject, and everyone likes to talk about being forgiven,
However, the two go hand in hand with each other.

Mark 1:4; John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 3:3; And he came into all the district around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins;
Luke 24:47; and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
Acts 2:38; Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 5:31; "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 26:18; to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'

This verse is one of my favorite verses in the Bible, but we need to remember the repentance must go with the asking.

1Jn 1:9; If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What does repentance mean?

μετάνοια
metanoia
met-an'-oy-ah
From G3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision): - repentance.
Total KJV occurrences: 24

You have to reform; you have to reverse your decisions and actions. You can't keep doing what you were doing before.
There are people who call themselves Christians, who sin, then ask for forgiveness, then sin again, then ask for forgiveness again, then sin again, then ask for forgiveness again..
over and over and over again, it's a never-ending cycle. They know before they ask for forgiveness that they are going to do the same sin again tomorrow.
But eventually have to stop, you have to reform, you have to change. You can't go on living in sin. You don't have to be perfect. You are allowed to stumble sometimes.
But you can't go on in deliberate willful sin. You can't continue practice a sinful lifestyle.

 

[B-A-C]

There are some things that can hinder forgiveness. Jesus says there is at least two thing that will keep you from being forgiven.

Matt 6:12; 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matt 6:14; "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matt 6:15; "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Matt 18:21; Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"
Matt 18:22; Jesus *said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Matt 18:32; "Then summoning him, his lord *said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
Matt 18:33; 'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?'
Matt 18:35; "My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart."

Mark 11:2;5 "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions.
Mark 11:26; ["But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions."]

Luke 11:4; 'And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.'"
Luke 17:3; "Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
Luke 17:4; "And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him."

2Cor 2:7; so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
2Cor 2:10; But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

Do you see a theme here? In order for us to be forgiven, we have to forgive others.

John 20:23; "If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained."

Now I've heard different interpretations of what this verse means, but I'm convinced that what it really means is... the sins you hold against someone, are really counted against you.
If you never forgive them, guess what.

 

[B-A-C]

There is a sin that Jesus says is unforgiveable.

Matt 12:31; "Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.
Matt 12:32; "Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Luke 12:10; "And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him.

What is this? What was happening when Jesus said this? Jesus was casting out demons, and the Pharisees were accusing Him of doing it by the power of Satan.

Luke 11:15 But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons."
Luke 11:18; "If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.

Mark 3:28; "Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter;
Mark 3:29; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"—
Mark 3:30; because they were saying, "He has an unclean spirit."

They were saying Jesus was casting out demons by the power of Satan, when in fact, He was casting them out by the power of God.
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is saying something being done by God, is being done by Satan.