The Forgiveness of God. Micah 7:18-20 (NIV2011)

Micah 7:18-20 (NIV2011) 18  Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. 19  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. 20  You will be faithful to Jacob, and show love to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago.

Micah 7:18-20 CNVS Micah 7:18 有何神像你，赦免罪孽，不追究产业之 余民的过犯呢？他不永远怀怒，因为他喜爱怜悯。 19 他必再怜爱我们，把我们的罪孽都践踏在脚下，又把 我们（按照《马索拉文本》，「我们」作「他们」;现 参照其他抄本﹑《七十士译本》和其他古译本翻译） 一切的罪恶都投在深海里。 20 你必向雅各显诚实，向 亚伯拉罕施慈爱，就是古时，你起誓应许我们列祖的。

In the west we live in a world that increasingly redefines sin and transgression as simply ‘matters of choice’ or ‘matters of freedom’ for which no apology or repentance is needed. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND Introduction.

Not my fault. This type of ‘enlightened’ thinking relieves the offender of any responsibility for his/her actions and the consequences felt by others. (E.G. False witness, adultery, divorce, gay & lesbian relationships, abortion and so on.) NAS 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (1 Jn. 2:16 NAS) This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

No relief from shame. This type of ‘world view’ of right & wrong may often leave a person confused & conflicted, but it also denies the troubled soul of a complete & permanent solution – forgiveness. In other words, many things are never properly resolved! This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

We all have a conscience. Because, we ALL have a conscience and it is the one thing that never goes away, it will always bother us because it comes from God! CNVS John 16:7 但我要把实情告诉你们， 我去是对你们有益的。如果我不去， 保惠师就不会到你们这里来；我若去 了，就会差他到你们这里来。 8 他来 了，就要在罪、在义、在审判各方面 指证世人的罪。 9 在罪方面，是因为 他们不信我； 10 在义方面，是因为我 到父那里去，你们就再看不见我； 11 在审判方面，是因为这世界的统治者 已经受了审判。 John 16:7-11 (NIV2011) 7  But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8  When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9  about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10  about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11  and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

An Example by Jesus. NAS John 8:7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And when they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst. CNVS John 8:7 他们不住地问耶稣，他 就挺起身来，说：“你们中间谁是没 有罪的，他就可以先拿起石头打她。” 8 於是又弯下身在地上写字。 9 他们听了这话，就从年老的开始， 一个一个地都离开了，留下的只有耶 稣和那个还站在那里的妇人。

What is Sin? Disobedience and rebellion against God’s laws and commandments – all of which are good. (Gen. 3:ff) NAS Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. CNVS Psalm 19:7 耶和华的律法是完全 的，能使人心苏醒；耶和华的法度是 坚定的，能使愚人有智慧

The effect of our sin! We almost exclusively offend God by acting wickedly towards one another, contrary to God’s wishes. Genesis 6:5-6 (NIV2011) 5  The LORD saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6  The LORD regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. Genesis 3:9-12 (NIV2011) 9  But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10  He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11  And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12  The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

Why do we need forgiveness? Because we all have sin in our lives and we will all give an account to God unless we can be shown a way to avoid punishment. NAS Romans 14:12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God. CNVS Romans 14:12 这样看 来，我们各人都要把自己 的事向 神交代。

Definition of ‘forgive’ NAS Matthew 6:12 'And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Forgive <863> ἀφίημι (aphiemi) Meaning: to send away, leave alone, abandon, let go. It does not mean it never happened, it means to put it aside and take no further action.

Therefore, forgiveness is. The act of pardoning or letting go an offender who cannot repay the debt. (In our situation with God, it is impossible to make amends that will wipe away all our sins.) Luke 7:41-42 (NIV2011) 41  “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42  Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

How can we stop offending God, hurting each other and be forgiven?

Repent (admit to God your sins & stop!) 3340 μετανοέω metanoeo {met-an-o-eh'-o} Meaning: 1) to change one's mind, i.e. to repent 2) to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins Luke 18:13 (NIV2011) 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ CNVS Luke 18:13 税吏却远远站着， 连举目望天也不敢，只捶着胸 说：‘ 神啊，可怜我这个罪 人！’

Then ask for forgiveness for everything.

From who? Who can forgive sins and remove our shame permanently? The OT did not ‘remove’ sins permanently, Jesus does! Who can forgive sins and remove our shame permanently?

Only one person! There’s only one person who can forgive our sins against God, remove the shame, restore a good conscience and return us to fellowship with the Lord – Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7-8 (NIV2011) 7  In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8  that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,

That is why He came into the world! John 3:16-17 (NIV2011) 16  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. CNVS John 3:16 “　神爱世人，甚至把 他的独生子赐给他们，叫一切信他的， 不至灭亡，反得永生。 17 因为　神差 他的儿子到世上来，不是要定世人的 罪，而是要使世人藉着他得救。

So, what must we do?

Be baptized for the remission (letting go) of all your sins. So, what must we do?

Acts 2:37-38 Acts 2:37-38 (NIV2011) 37  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. CNVS Acts 2:36 因此，以色列全家应当 确实知道，你们钉在十字架上的这位 耶稣，　神已经立他为主为基督了。” 37 他们听了以後，觉得扎心，就对彼 得和其余的使徒说：“弟兄们，我们 应当作甚麽呢？” 38 彼得说：“你们应 当悔改，并且每一个人都要奉耶稣基 督的名受洗，使你们的罪得赦，就必 领受圣灵，那白白的恩典。

And then,

God will never bring them up to you again! CNVS Hebrews 10:16 “主说： ‘在那些日子以後，我要与 他们所立的约是这样：我要 把我的律法放在他们的心思 里面，写在他们的心上。’” 17 又说：“我决不再记着他 们的罪恶，和不法的行为。” NAS Hebrews 10:16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And upon their mind I will write them," He then says, 17 "And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

Lets summarize

Lets summarize There is sin and we can’t escape its effects nor avoid our responsibilities.

Lets summarize There is sin and we can’t escape its effects nor avoid our responsibilities. We can never free ourselves of the guilt and shame, nor pay for it in any way that God will accept.

Lets summarize There is sin and we can’t escape its effects nor avoid our responsibilities. We can never free ourselves of the guilt and shame, nor pay for it in any way that God will accept. We can only stop doing what God hates and beg for His forgiveness.

Lets summarize There is sin and we can’t escape its effects nor avoid our responsibilities. We can never free ourselves of the guilt and shame, nor pay for it in any way that God will accept. We can only stop doing what God hates and beg for His forgiveness. We must then be baptized in obedience to His command & He will ‘wipe away’ our sins.

Then we will find peace for our souls. Conclusion Then we will find peace for our souls.

Amen This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC