Forgiveness is not an attribute but an action flowing from God's attribute of goodness. We want to focus on the fact that our God is a forgiving God. The devil would try to distort the truth that God's forgiveness is free and full. Consider these three things 1. God pardons sin It is true God perceives sin and punishes sin, but yet he pardons sin ('twisting the standard'), transgression ('revolt against the standard') and sin ('fall short of the standard'). Pardon has the idea of lifting up (i.e. off our shoulders) or sending away. Places in scripture where these three terms are used Psalm 103:10, 12 God removes the sin, not us. Only he can do it not us Psalm 32:1-2 God multiplies terms for our sins so that we might understand how bad it is but he is also descriptive of his pardon (cleansing of blood of the Lamb, taken out of the way, nailed to the cross). 2. Consider how this works out in the ministry of Christ. Christ earned the forgiveness of sin. God cannot just forgive our sins without the expiation of Christ. Isaiah 53:8 ('for the transgression of my people he was stricken'), 12 ('he bare the sin of many') You have one in glory who knows all about your rebellion and he is the one who has been punished in full and intercedes for your forgiveness. We are trusting that his work and not ours has appeased God's wrath. Christ demonstrated forgiveness by forgiving those who nailed him to the cross. 3. How do we apply God's pardon to our hearts? a. We ought to bless the Sovereign who has pardoned us. b. We ought to repent of our sin. c. We ought to constrain the sinner to come to Christ. d. We ought to pardon the saints who sin against us.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
Dr. Mark Allison has been president of Geneva Reformed Seminary since October 2015. Before becoming president, he was pastor of the Free Presbyterian Church of Malvern, PA (2000-2016), and adjunct professor at GRS, where he lectured in English Bible and Practical Theology. In...
