Text: Colossians 1:16

Are we accomplishing our purpose as a local assembly? Are you accomplishing your purpose as a person? Are you successful? Is this church successful? How would you know if you were successful? There would have to be a measurement.

Jesus Christ is the purpose of all things

For him means Jesus Christ is the purpose of all things.

Answers the question of why am I here.

Revelation 4:11

After a life threatening event someone may come through that and say I know I’m alive because God has a plan for my life. The wonderful news is that’s exactly right, the Lord absolutely has a plan for your life. The other news is He had a plan for your life before you went to the hospital. And the plan He has for your life is the same plan He has for everyone’s life. It’s found in Revelation 4:11. His plan didn’t begin when you were in the accident, it began even before He created all things.

Philippians 2:13 – notice his GOOD pleasure. To will and to do means he works in his people so they not only do his will, but they want to do his will

Jesus Christ is the heir of all things

For him also means Jesus Christ is the heir of all things

Hebrews 1:2

John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Romans 8:17

I’m happy fulfilling my purpose

Jesus Christ is the purpose and end of all things. You and I were created for His pleasure. Things that don’t function according to their purpose break down.

Fulfilling His pleasure and your purpose means happiness – John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Text: Job 36:1-21

Elihu said in the last chapter to look into the heavens and behold the clouds. There he would learn valuable lessons about the Lord and about Job’s situation. In this chapter there is a prophecy of the coming kingdom and a picture of the physical properties of water as they are like the righteous.

There are four times Elihu says to behold something about the Lord in this chapter: verses 5, 22, 26, 30. These form the outline of Elihu’s instruction to Job. 

The first behold describes the people of the kingdom (vss 5-21)

Crowned humble

The poor is not a financial description, but a spiritual description of humility

Isaiah 66:2 …but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

James 4:6 God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

When you come under the full weight and consequence of your sin and instead of getting made at God for pointing your sin out you’re broken and look to a merciful, loving God for help.

Crown belongs to the righteous (vs 7)

Kings and priests. Remember the righteous are those who have submitted themselves to the Lord and allowed Him to give them His own righteousness in Job 33:26-28.

Chastening to benefit God’s people (vss 8-12, 15-16)

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time

This means I will not accuse or blame God for things I don’t like that come my way, but I’ll seek the Lord in them and accept whatever He allows into my life. And I will try to learn from the painful experiences instead of getting bitter at God.

vs 10 – He that hath an ear, let him hear is what the Lord Jesus Christ says

Cursed hypocrites (vss 13-14, 17-19)

Notice the hypocrites in heart are impenitent and store up wrath against the day of judgment. When these souls come under conviction and weight of their sin, they become angry at God for pointing their sin out.

The Lord Jesus Christ constantly dealt with the Pharisees and called them hypocrites.

Romans 2:1-5

These are the same hypocrites the Lord Jesus Christ was always calling out. Don’t be as the hypocrites, don’t be as the hypocrites. And when he was talking to these stubborn souls with bitterness toward God and God’s people in their hearts. The Lord Jesus Christ said, ye hypocrites.

vss 19-21 – Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Text: Matthew 8:5-13

There are many similarities between a person growing up in the United States of America who trusts Jesus Christ and the faith of this centurion that we’re reading about. The healing is not the same, but don’t get caught up in that.  Healing during the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ was done to prove who Jesus Christ was. Now that the Lord Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven there is not a need to prove who He is anymore.

In Luke 7:1-10 the centurion is apparently a man of great generosity. He built a synagogue for the Jews as a way to put his faith into practice, so he is also a man of devotion to the God of Israel. There are several great characteristics about this centurion’s faith described in Matthew’s record here.

Great faith of a stranger (vs 5)

First thing to notice is that this centurion is not an Israelite, he is a Gentile. Though the Lord Jesus Christ is ministering to the house of Israel, he is not going to turn away someone who believes in him.

Jesus Christ rejected by his own

Matthew records this and several other instances where Gentiles had faith, but the Jews, who were supposed to have faith, didn’t. Notice Matthew 8:12. Jesus Christ wasn’t looking for the Jews to believe in the law plus him. The expectation of faith is the same to the Jew first and also to the Greek. And it was peculiar that those who had the most familiarity with God and the Messianic prophecies didn’t recognize the Lord while unfamiliar strangers did.

Romans 9:1-5 is Paul’s personal grief over his own kin.

Romans 9:30-33 is the explanation for why Israel rejected Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ wasn’t preaching the gospel of trusting the law and doing the law to Israel. Everything about Israel pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ received by strangers

The gospel of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ would go to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Gentile) according to Romans 1:16.

In Luke 7:4-5 the Jewish elders have good things to say about this centurion because of his generosity toward them and his love for the God of Israel.

Ephesians 2:11-22 …both have access… Who is the both? Both Jew and Gentile in one body.

Great faith responds to the light it’s given.

Jews given much light they didn’t respond to. This Gentile man who had less light was closer to the Lord.

Great faith is not what you know, how you rightly divide, how many Bible stories you’re familiar with, but great faith is exercised faith – it’s put to use.

Great faith benefits someone else (vs 6)

Second, notice that his faith benefited someone else.

This centurion’s servant is grievously vexed with palsy and Luke says he’s ready to die.

The centurion asked the Lord Jesus Christ to do something he was already willing to do during his ministry. I only say that so you understand that the healing ministry of Jesus Christ was to confirm who he was and what he preached. His work is not healing everyone that is sick right now.

The centurion’s faith gave Jesus Christ the opportunity to work in his friend’s life.

There can be a difference between what the community views as good work and giving the Lord Jesus Christ an opportunity to work in someone’s life.

Preaching forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ is a good work, but not necessarily according to you or your friends. It can be a nuisance to most professing Christians.

Great faith in the words of God (vss 8-9)

This centurion understands that the word of God will change his servant’s life.

Faith was never about what is seen. It is about what is heard.

Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Not faith in your church or your religion or yourself.

Text: Colossians 1:16

One of the themes of the book of Colossians is the preeminence of Jesus Christ. He is preeminent among the children of God, preeminent in forgiveness, preeminent in fullness, preeminent as the Head of the church, and many other areas. In the verse we’ll look at tonight, the Lord Jesus Christ is preeminent in creation because he is the Creator.

Christ the Creator

That little word “by” in verse 16 will put the Lord Jesus Christ in his proper place. “By” describes the instrument used or mode used to accomplish the work. How did you get here? We came BY car. How did he pay off that debt? By working. How are you getting home tonight? By driving. The word “by” answers the question of how the task was accomplished.

The verse is self explanatory, the Lord Jesus Christ is the instrument of creation. Everything created was created by Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the creator, architect, and source of all life.

Man does not create, but he was made a steward of creation.

Man didn’t create electricity, but he’s harnessed electricity. He didn’t create water, he’s harnessed it for use. Man has to start with something. He is not a creator, he is a steward.

This is true physically and spiritually. You didn’t create your soul, but you are responsible for it. You didn’t create any spirit, but you’re told to rule your own spirit.

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Christ the (Re)creator

Sin entered the world, not the earth, but the world – humanity.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. The world – humanity – was corrupted by a cherub that became full of himself.

Ezekiel 28:12-17

Satan forgot his Creator because of pride. But his unclean spirit would serve as the blueprint for the world that would also forget their Creator.

1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

The Lord Jesus Christ came into His creation to create a new man – new creature.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Remember the verse, nothing is created without Jesus Christ.  That will include what Jesus Christ REcreates.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. If it’s old it’s in Adam and in the world and headed for judgment by the Creator.

Not only does the Creator make a way to escape judgment and enjoy his creation, He also shows humanity how to properly use the body, mind, and soul he created

Ephesians 3:8-12 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see ...

Text: Psalm 63

Thirst for the Lord (vss 1-4)

…my soul… (vs 1)

Desire is like thirst

It’s personal – my God…

Seek early

Early in life

Early in decisions

Early in the day

Seek God’s power

Seek God’s glory

Exodus 33:18-19 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Fall short of the glory of God…

Because… (vss 3-4)

Just like when your thirsty and a dry parched mouth touches water and it’s so refreshing. So it is when David’s mouth touches the praise of the Lord, his soul is refreshed to praise the Lord.

Reason for praise is lovingkindness

It lasts longer

It guarantees a happy eternity

Resolution of praise is a decision, not a personality trait or a specific calling.

Satisfied in the Lord (vss 5-7)

My soul… (vs 5)

Filled with goodness

Satisfied soul.

John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.  

Compared to the vexed soul of Lot.

Filled by meditation.

In order for water to be satisfying I have to take it in. In order for the Lord to be satisfying I have to take in his words.

Filling that has been experienced – because thou hast been my help…

Following the Lord (vss 8-11)

My soul… (vs 8)

Follow closely – followeth hard after thee… (stay close)

Follow with God’s help – thy right hand upholdeth me. (with the Lord’s help)

Follow to the end in joy – the king shall rejoice in thee… (don’t quit before you get there)

Text: Job 35

Look at verse 14; therefore trust thou in him.  This is the advice Elihu has for Job. And he is going to give a sound and thoughtful explanation of why trusting the Lord is right.

Elihu will explain that the Creator is not a moral errand boy for mankind. Man thinks he is the measure of all things and therefore believes that God is at his disposal. Every accusation against Job by Bildad, Zophar, and Eliphaz was wrong and followed that reasoning. Now Job, through extreme suffering, was coming to a similar conclusion about the Lord. They all essentially said that the Creator of the universe is simply an errand boy for man’s morality.

It’s the false belief that if I’m good God is obligated to respond with something good for me when I want it. If someone does something bad, God will be obligated to send evil their way when I want Him to.

It’s the false belief that if God does not respond the way I want him to, He is immoral.

It’s the false belief that ordinances and physical laws should change according to my behavior. 

And when the Lord doesn’t respond, His restraint is often used as an accusation against Him. You know how that goes when you ask why didn’t God keep my Dad from dying? Why did God allow my child to die? Why doesn’t God stop people from killing each other? Why did God allow this person to suffer in sickness? Elihu will illustrate that the Creator of all things is not an errand boy for mankind and Elihu will use three illustrations: creation in verses 5-7, oppression in verses 8-12, and judgment in verses 13-16.

Look up to find God’s faithfulness (vss 5-7)

Look unto the heavens… (vs 5)

Your sin or your righteousness will not change the order of God’s creation in anyway, much less bring the Creator under your demand.

Rain will come whether your wicked or righteous. Summer will arrive on schedule whether you’re a thief or very generous. The Sun will shine whether you’re a liar or you preach the truth.

Look up and you’ll find the faithfulness of God, not the wickedness of God

Matthew 5:43-48 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.

Jeremiah 33:20-22 Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; 21 Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers. 22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.

Look up and you’ll find a Creator that is much higher than you

Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

James 1:16-17 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Some of you have jokingly said if you come to church the building may burn down.

Text: Matthew 8:1-4

Matthew recorded the Lord’s authority in teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (7:29), then recorded the Lord’s authority over the curse in this chapter.  Notice there is leprosy, palsy, fever, and those possessed of devils that the Lord Jesus Christ has authority over.

The account of this leprous man is found here in Matthew 8:1-4 and in Mark 1:40-45 and Luke 5:12-15.

Man cursed with leprosy (vs 2)

* Matthew 8:2 …there came a leper…

* Leprosy is a horrible disease of open wounds, paralysis, if it gets into the nerves and muscles, as it slowly eats away at the body.

* There are two chapters in Leviticus (13-14) describing how to diagnose and potentially treat leprosy.

* If it’s a scab or bright spot on the skin that goes beneath the surface of the skin or the hair follicles are discolored then it is leprosy.

* If someone has a bright spot or scab that doesn’t go beneath the skin and there is no discoloration then they are quarantined for 7 days to make sure it is not the beginning of leprosy.

* The curse of leprosy afflicted three presumptuous souls

* The first leper was Miriam when she spoke against Moses (Numbers 12). Deuteronomy 24:8-9 Take heed in the plague of leprosy, that thou observe diligently, and do according to all that the priests the Levites shall teach you: as I commanded them, so ye shall observe to do. 9 Remember what the LORD thy God did unto Miriam by the way, after that ye were come forth out of Egypt.

* Uzziah became a leper (2 Chronicles 26:16-23).

* Naaman was a leper (2 Kings 5).

* Luke 5:12 …full of leprosy…

Full of leprosy means he’s been dealing with this for a long time.

This man was isolated and outcast from society.

Cry for help (vs 2)

Self abandonment

Matthew 8:2 …worshipped him…

Mark 1:40 …kneeling down to him…

Luke 5:12 …fell on his face…

At this point not really worried about his own dignity. This is a man truly seeking a reward from God and does not care what others think about him. What he needs is between him and the Lord. He isn’t going to let what others think about him get in the way.

Trust in the Lord

Matthew 8:2 …Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Mark 1:40 …If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Luke 5:12 …Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Compassion of the Lord on the leper (vs 3)

Compassionate touch

Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him

Mark 1:41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him,

Luke 5:13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him,

Jesus looked on him with compassion and touched him. The touch is not necessary, but the Lord does it. All three accounts mention the touch so it had an impact on those watching.

Touch showing acceptance

Acceptance is perhaps the greatest need of a human being.

Cleansing of the leper by the word of God (vs 3)

Look at Matthew 10:8. Leprosy requires cleansing. Sickness requires healing but leprosy requires cleansing. It’s a small distinction, but a difference nonetheless. You’ll find it everywhere in the Bible that leprosy shows up it is called an uncleanness.

Clean by the word of God

Matthew 8:3 …I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 

Mark 1:41 …I will; be thou clean. 42 And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

Luke 5:13 …I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.

Can you imagine the joy and excitement in this man?! Years of isolation, no cure,

Text: Colossians 1:15

Image of God versus image of Adam

Make man in our image; Father, Son, Holy Ghost, body, spirit, soul. (Genesis 1:26)

You’re born with physical characteristics that resemble your parents. She’s got her dad’s eyes. He’s got his mom’s nose.  He’s got his dad’s hands.

Genesis 5:3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth. So Seth bears the characteristics of Adam because he is born to Adam. But Seth also inherited the corruption of sin in his body from his father. He is conceived in sin as David says, Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

God formed Adam of the dust into the image of God, as opposed to the image of an elephant or dog or cat.  But Adam was not born of God, he was formed out of dust. Seth was then born of Adam with the same physical form and the same corruption in that physical form.

Image of God by birth

Adam sinned, his body was corrupted and then Adam had a child named Seth who would visibly be in the image of God, but that image inherited the corruption passed on from Adam.

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Adam was MADE in God’s image, but Jesus Christ was BORN in God’s image.

Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  We confuse ourselves when we try to apply this to us because we know we’re sinful. This verse is talking about the Lord Jesus Christ being born of God and without sin. Look at the context in 1 John 3:7-9.

(Also address cult teaching about Jesus Christ being a created god)

1 Corinthians 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

If you’re born in Adam, your flesh will die. You don’t even have to be charged with sin to die in Adam. Babies die in Adam apart from their own personal sin regularly.

In Christ is life, outside of Christ there is no life.

Ephesians 1:9-10 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

1 Corinthians 15:42-49

Justified souls are determined to become the image of God – Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Applying the image of God

* Colossians 3:8-11 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Created without sin

* Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Contamination of sin

* There is something in you that says death is not right. Yet it is the most universal tragedy.

* Romans 5:12, 18-19 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: … 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to  condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Committing your sin

James 4:17 Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (Withholding what is good is sin.)

Romans 14:23 Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. (The everyday example of a meal – eat or drink do all to the glory of God)

Proverbs 24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin. (God said the thoughts and imaginations of his heart are evil continually)

Proverbs 21:4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. (Not a heinous crime. He just never regards his Creator in his work)

1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin. (In Adam, all die)

Consequences of sin

* Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

* 1 Timothy 5:24 Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

* Hebrews 9:27

Jesus Christ takes away sin

* John 1:29 …Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

* Acts 13:37-38 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

* But just because Jesus Christ died for your sins doesn’t mean your sins are forgiven.

Clearing your sins before God

* call on the Lord, contrite spirit, confession of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Text: Colossians 1:14

The word forgiveness is a wonderful word. It is foregoing and bypassing a debt or crime without charge. The word itself “for” as in forward and “giving” explains the charitable act exactly as it is. Forgiveness of sins is giving sufficiently to cover the debt.

God’s forgiveness of sins is in Jesus Christ

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (vs 14)

Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

This forgiveness from God came at the cost of the blood of the only begotten Son of God.

Hebrews 9:22-28, 10:14-18

When the Lord forgives sin in Jesus Christ, he doesn’t do it partly and halfway. Romans 4:6-8 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Forgiveness does not eliminate consequences in this life

A person can be forgiven and still suffer consequences.  Someone that says they have sinned and may never recover, may never get their family back, may never be looked on favorably again, but their chief concern is between them and God.

David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11-12

Brandt Jean forgives Amber Guyger

A jury sentenced a former Dallas police officer to 10 years in prison Wednesday for the shooting death of her unarmed neighbor in his home last year. Amber Guyger was convicted of murder the day before by the same jury in the death of Botham Jean. The sentence was met with boos and jeers by a crowd gathered outside the courtroom. But Jean’s younger brother, Brandt Jean, in a victim impact statement after the sentence, told Guyger he forgave her and loved her as he would any other person. He asked the judge if he could hug Guyger, and the two embraced as Guyger sobbed. “I’m not going to say I hope you rot and die, just like my brother — I personally want the best for you,” Brandt Jean, 18, said. “I wasn’t going to say this in front of my family or anyone, but I don’t even want you to go to jail. I want the best for you, because I know that’s exactly what Botham would want.”

Conditions of forgiveness

First condition from God is there must be a basis for Him to forgive. The blood of Jesus Christ is that basis. God is not holy if He simply ignores sin. In Jesus Christ, God the Father has the basis to forgive sinners in a just way without compromising his righteousness.

Conditioned on those who seek out forgiveness

Just because Jesus Christ shed His blood for you does that mean you were forgiven?  Or was there something required of you?

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

Luke 17:1-10 …if he repent… Increase our faith… done that which was our duty.

We mention these conditions because they help you understand what forgiveness is and what it is not.

Forgiveness is not ignoring sin. Forgiveness is cancelling debt based on acceptable conditions.  Forgiveness is peace between warring parties when the conditions for peace have been met.

Many a victim has been told to forgive where there could be no forgiveness. Sometimes the criminal isn’t looking for forgiveness, so peace between these two parties can’t exist.

Forgiveness from God is not the same as forgiveness between people