What is Forgiveness?

SHORT DEFINITION:
Forgiveness is the passing over of sin, not holding sin against the sinner. When forgiven, sin is not taken into account (Romans 4:8); sin is remembered no more (Hewbrews 8:12); sin is blotted out (Psalms 51:1; Isaiah 43:25); and sin is removed. (2 Samuel 12:13; Isaiah 38:17)

Pslams 103:8-12 (NIV)
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

LONG DEFINITION:
Forgiveness is the releasing of accountability for wrong. Humans beings have been given the freedom to act independently of God, which means, we have the capability to disobey Him. We have been given responsibility and accountability: we are responsible to act rightly, and we are held accountable for our actions. If we should act wrongly, then we will face judgment and condemnation. We will be punished. Forgiveness is the releasing of accountability to such an extent that it wrong is completely erased from our record. It is though we never sinned.

Some important points about forgiveness:

1) Forgiveness is a gift. It is offered to someone. This means that forgiveness cannot be received unless it is taken. Forgiveness is accepted in belief. For example, if someone were to hit me, I could offer them forgiveness by saying, "You're forgiven." However, they could not accept this forgiveness unless the person believes it to be true. There are many whom God has offered forgiveness as a free gift. However, they will not accept it and therefore do not have it. Some say, "My sin was too great for God to forgive."

2) Forgiveness follows confession. A person cannot be forgiven unless they admit guilt. For example, if someone were to hit me, I could offer them forgiveness. However, if they said in return, "You deserved to be hit. I didn't do anything wrong." Then, there is no forgiveness. Accountability of wrong cannot be released if the person does not accept accountablility. The person must first admit wrong or apologize for their actions.

3) Forgiveness is sought and requested. Someone asks for forgiveness.

4) Forgiveness is offered in the lovingkindness of the giver, and not because the person did anything to deserve it. Forgiveness is an act of mercy and love.

5) The forgiveness of God was made possible by atonement (so as to maintain justice), and is given on the basis of repentance. God is both just and loving. He is completely and entirely fair in His judgment. However, He is also a merciful God who forgives sinners time and time again. Two keys make this possible: atonement and repentance.

In atonement, Christ gave His life in exchange for sinners. He paid the price. The punishment we should have suffered for our sins, He suffered. And so, God remains just and fair. All sin has been dealt with God rightly. No sin has been left unpunished. On the cross, God punished all sin. Therefore, when Christ offers forgiveness, it is not cheap. Though it is free for us, it cost Christ His life. He suffered so that we might be forgiven. No one can say, "That's not fair. Why do you let them go? Why am I being punished when they are being forgiven?" God can say, "Because they have Christ. He was punished on their behalf."

In repentance a sinner may be forgiven because it allows Christ to not only remove their sin, but keep them from sinning. Someone who repents, not only admits guilt, but they also want to change. They want to turn away from sin. Someone who repents admits complete and total failure. They are powerless. In this way, God can change them. There are some who realize they are sinners, they admit guilt and wrongdoing, but they don't want to change. They don't want to turn from sin. They wallow in guilt just so they can go on sinning. This, however, is an abuse of God's forgiveness and He has no part of it. A person may only receive Christ if they repent. This means, a person is never forgiven until the repent. They must first give up their sins. They must seek to change.

By atonement and repentence, true and freeing forgiveness is offered by God. Their sins are remembered no more. The person stops sinning by the power of God. They are truly free from sin.