Forgiveness (release, remission,free) (859) (aphesis from aphiemi = action which causes separation and is in turn derived from apo = from + hiemi = put in motion, send) literally means to send away or to put apart, a letting go, a leaving behind, a removal. Aphesis is most often translated remission as when one remits (pardons, cancels) a debt (see definition of English word below). The act of releasing someone from an obligation. To release from captivity. Remission of sins means once and for all taking them away, removing the guilt, punishment and power of sin. And so to release one's sins, is not just release from the ("legal" or forensic) charge and the just penalty of sin but also release from the power and dominion of sin (and in Heaven the release from the presence of sin and the pleasure of sin). And so we see that Wuest translates Col 1:14 as "the putting away of our sins" (Wuest) The OT gives us a beautiful picture of the meaning of aphesis in the celebration of the Year of Jubilee. In fact there are 11 uses of aphesis in the Septuagint translation of Leviticus 25 (Lev 25:10-13, 28, 30-31, 33, 40, 41, 50, 52, 54) where aphesis is frequently substituted for the Hebrew word Jubilee, so that instead of the phrase Year of Jubilee the Lxx translated into English reads "Year of the Release" in Lev 25:13 (or "Jubilee of Release in Lev 25:11). One aspect of the Year of Jubilee involved the setting free of indebted servants or slaves (cf Lev 25:10). It is interesting that the OT release from debts was associated with a time of celebration. How much more should we as NT saints daily celebrate and revel in the truth that we have been released from our sin debt! I fear I do not ponder this profound truth often enough and begin to take it for granted and become complacent and even indifferent which makes me vulnerable to committing sin! We need to remember that the Year of Jubilee was an OT picture which pointed to and was fulfilled in the crucifixion of the Messiah Whose fully atoning, substitutionary death made release from sin, Satan and death possible for all who receive this truth by grace through faith. Here is an example from Leviticus 25... Leviticus 25:10 You shall thus consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim a release (Hebrew = deror = a flowing, liberty; Lxx = aphesis) through the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family. Leviticus 25:12 'For it is a jubilee (Hebrew - yobel = ram's horn; Lxx = aphesis + onmasia = shouting, a day for blowing the trumpets - The beginning of this year was marked by the blast of the Shofar [Jewish Encyclopedia] or ram's horn); it shall be holy to you. You shall eat its crops out of the field. Mounce writes that aphesis "almost always refers to divine forgiveness, and its meaning is usually clarified by adding "of sins." In Eph 1:7; Col 1:14, Paul defines redemption as specifically related to "the forgiveness of sins." The forgiveness of sins is a central feature of the Christian message and witness, standing at the heart of the gospel. Also, the divine initiative in the forgiveness of sins creates a forgiving spirit in the life of the Christian. As Christ forgave us, so should we forgive others (Mt 5:38-48; Ro 12:19-21).(Mounce's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words.) Aphesis is followed by sin (hamartia) 11/17 uses in the NT (Mt 26:28, Mk 1:4, Lk 1:77, 3:3, 24:47, Acts 2:38, 5:31, 10:43, 13:38, 26:18, Col 1:14), where Sin is depicted as a "master" that has bound and enslaved all mankind (cf "slave of sin" Ro 6:20). Paul writes "thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin Sin (see discussion of Sin personified as a "Slavemaster"), you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Ro 6:17-18) Aphesis releases (so to speak) a man from the cords of Sin, the power of Sin. Jesus declared that one of the goals of His ministry was to "release [aphesis] the captives" (Lk 4:18). Here the word captives is aichmalotos which refers to prisoners of war, and in context refers to all men as in a state of captivity to Sin as a result of having inherited Adam's sin nature (Ro 5:12). The root meaning of forgiveness is to put away an offense. In secular Greek literature, the related word aphiemi was used to indicate the sending away of an object or a person and came to include the release of someone from the obligation of marriage, or debt, or even a religious vow. In its final form this word group came to embrace the principle of release from punishment for some wrongdoing. Aphesis is used in medical language of the relaxation (remission) of disease. Both Luke and John use the kindred verb aphiemi, in the same sense. See Luke 4:39 (Fever left her); John 4:52 (the fever left him). Remission (Webster's definition) = discharge or relinquishment of a claim or right; as the remission of a tax or duty; pardon - giving up of the punishment due to a crime, the act of sending back). The cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty. Release from sin. Youngblood adds that "The active nature of the word for "remission" in the Greek language indicates that forgiveness is more than a passive act on God's part. Through the death of His Son, God has taken the initiative to break the grip of sin and set people free for a new way of life in God's Spirit." (Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary) Forgiveness (Webster's definition) = the giving up o resentment or claim to requital, the granting of relief from payment (forgive a debt). The pardon or remission of an offense or crime. The act of excusing or pardoning others in spite of their slights, shortcomings, and errors. "Giving up resentment or claim to requital on account of an offense. The offense may be a deprivation of a person's property, rights, or honor; or it may be a violation of moral law." (New International Bible Dictionary) Aphesis has be transliterated as a word in the field of Linguistics where it describes the gradual disappearance or loss of an unstressed vowel at the beginning of a word (e.g. of e from esquire to form squire). Thayer's summary - 1) release from bondage or imprisonment 2) forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty Friberg's summary - (1) of captivity release, liberation, deliverance (Lk 4.18); (2) of an obligation or debt cancellation, pardon; (3) predominately in relation to sins forgiveness, cancellation of guilt (Mt 26.28); in the New Covenant, a;. involves not a passing over of sins as in the Old Covenant (cf. paresis = passing over, overlooking in Ro 3.25), but their removal from the mind of God, taking away (Heb 10.18; cf. Heb 10.3) BDAG summarized - (1). the act of freeing and liberating from something that confines, release from captivity (2). the act of freeing from an obligation, guilt, or punishment, pardon, cancellation - forgiveness of sins i.e. cancellation of the guilt of sin Liddell-Scott - 1. a letting go, dismissal:-a quittance or discharge from a bond.: exemption from service, a divorce 2. a letting go (Lat. missio) of horses from the starting-post, and then the starting-post itself, having made the winning post one with the starting-post, i.e. having come back to the starting-post. The Theological Lexicon of the NT - (Aphesis) has multiple shades of meaning, some of them quite everyday, like the sending out of ships (Demosthenes, Corona 18.77-78); but there are also technical applications, for example in architecture, and in sports, where it refers to the starting line for the athletes in the diaulos; in astrology, it refers to the point of departure, the beginning. In Aristotle, it refers to the emission or expulsion of fish roe (bees release their excrement; 6.22.576a25: a mare remains standing at the moment of delivery, and in Hippocrates it becomes a medical term, the emission of gas being a symptom of illness. Aphesis can also mean "exhaustion, prostration": "forgetfulness and prostration, loss of voice.signs of illness" (Epid. 3.6). Aphesis is used especially for persons, usually as a legal term for a layoff, for the release of slaves or prisoners (Polybius 1.79.12; Plato, Plt. 273c), the repudiation of a spouse ("Pompey sent his wife a bill of divorce"), an exemption from military service (Plutarch, Ages. 24.3), a dispensation from an obligation: "A councilor who does not come to the meeting chamber at the appointed time shall pay one drachma for each day's absence unless the council grants him a dispensation" (ean me heuriskomenos aphesin tes boules ape, Aristotle, Ath. Pol. 30.6). In Demosthenes, aphesis is usually a "discharge" in the technical sense of freeing someone from an obligation ("There was a settling of accounts and a release relative to the bank lease"; C. Naus. 28.5), but also a "settlement" ("My father was able to recover the debt after the settlement," C. Naus. 38.14) and a "remission" ("This remission of interest did not wrong the creditors"). On rare occasions (Ed: In contrast to Biblical use) it refers to the forgiveness of an offense: "What we have said concerning forgiveness of a parricide by a father shall be valid for similar cases" (Plato, Leg. 9.869 d). The term does not seem to have been used by the moralists, however. In the papyri, aphesis refers especially to the draining of water from pools and especially to sluice gates ("the sluice gates at Phoboou" or the conduits from which water flows out into the fields. (Spicq, C., & Ernest, J. D. Theological Lexicon of the New Testament. 1:238. Peabody, MA.: Hendrickson) Forgiveness - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary Forgiveness - ISBE Forgiveness - Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Forgiveness - Holman Bible Dictionary Aphesis is used 17x in 16v the NAS (see below). NAS Usage = forgiveness, 15; free, 1; release, 1. KJV Usage = free, 1; release, 1 deliverance, 1; forgiveness, 6; liberty, 1; remission, 9. In the NT uses below note the clear association of repentance with forgiveness. (Mk 1:4, Lk 3:3, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 5:31 Acts 26:18 = "turn from" ~ repent). How tragic that in many modern presentations of the good news, the Biblical doctrine of repentance is not considered relevant and so is never even mentioned! We must return to the ancient paths (cp Jer 6:16) and not water down or dilute the gospel (cp Jer 18:15). Matthew 26:28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Compare the emphasis on repentance in the ministries of Jesus, Peter, Paul - Jesus began His ministry proclaiming "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" Mt 4:17, Jesus' proclaimed in Mark 1:15 "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Study also Mark 6:11, Luke 5:32, 10:13, 11:32, 13:3, 13:5, 15:7, 15:10, 16:30, 24:47, Peter in Acts 3:19, 5:31, 11:18, Paul in Acts 17:30, 20:21, 26:20 Mark 3:29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin "-- Luke 1:77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their 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 3:8 "bring forth fruits in keeping with repentance") Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release (aphesis) to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed (broken in pieces, shattered, smitten - perfect tense = permanent state unless they are set free) Comment: Jesus is quoting from the Septuagint of Isaiah 61:1 which in the NAS is rendered "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD (Jehovah) has anointed Me to bring good news [euaggelizo] to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty (Heb = deror [01865] = emancipation, freedom, liberty; LXX = aphesis = a canceling of debt) to captives and freedom to prisoners Many commentators consider Jesus' references to liberty and freedom as clear allusions to the Year of Jubilee ("the favorable year of the Lord" Lk 4:19, quoting first half of Is 61:2a) which in the Septuagint is translated the "year of release" (aphesis). Click here for more discussion on the year of Jubilee and how it is a "shadow" of the Messiah. The Jubilee is the crowning point of all the sabbatical institutions during which all debts and obligations were canceled (see use of aphesis in Leviticus 25:10 below). (Dictionary articles - Jubilee Year; Year of Jubilee; Jubilee) (Play Michael Card's great song "Jubilee" - Hallelujah!) MacArthur - Aphesis (release) means "forgiveness" (it is so translated in 1:77; 3:3; 24:47; Matt. 26:28; Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:22; 10:18). Messiah will set the prisoners free by paying the penalty for their violation of God's law. Through His sacrificial death God has "canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross" (Col. 2:14). As Charles Wesley expressed it in his magnificent hymn "O For a Thousand Tongues, "He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free." (MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Luke) Luke 24:47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall 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 10:43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." Acts 13:38 "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' Ephesians 1:7-note In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, Wuest - The word "forgiveness" is aphesis from aphiemi, "to send from one's self, to send away, to bid go away or depart." The noun aphesis, used in relation to "sins," means "a release, the letting them go as if they had not been committed, thus, forgiveness, a remission of their penalty" (Thayer). Trench says that the image under lying the verb is that of releasing a prisoner (Isaiah 61:1), or letting go, as of a debt (Deut. 15:3). One is reminded of the one goat who was offered as a sin-offering on the Day of Atonement, and of the other goat upon which was placed the sins of the people (symbolically) and which was let go in the wilderness, never to be seen again by Israel, the latter goat typifying that aspect of redemption in which the sins of the human race were put away, never to be charged against the individual again. All of which means that sinners are lost today, not because they sin, but because they have not availed themselves of the salvation which is in Christ Jesus. God's forgiveness of sin refers therefore to His act of putting sin away on a judicial basis, to His remitting the guilt and penalty. It is for the sinner to avail himself of salvation by appropriating the Lord Jesus as his Saviour by faith in what He has done for him on the Cross. Colossians 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Believers Church Bible Commentary - Forgiveness, particularly when coupled with redemption as it is here, includes more than canceling the guilt of sins. Thinking of forgiveness only in a narrow judicial sense (of removing penalty) blocks an appreciation for its more comprehensive meaning. Forgiveness includes breaking the hold and power of sin (cf. Col 2:13-15). In John 8:11, Jesus' words to the woman, "Go your way, and from now on do not sin again," imply that she could do just that because she was forgiven. A line in a Charles Wesley hymn captures this fuller meaning of forgiveness, "He breaks the power of canceled sin." Hebrews 9:22-note And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 10:18-note Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. The OT sacrifices were merely an offering, a divinely appointed temporary means to bring man to God. Christ redemptive work of remission was the perfect completion of atonement. Aphesis - 39x times in Septuagint (LXX) - Ex. 18:2; 23:11; Lev 16:26; 25:10, 11, 12, 13, 28, 30, 31, 33, 40, 41, 50, 52, 54; 27:17, 18, 21, 23, 24; Nu 36:4; Dt 15:1, 2, 3 , 9; 31:10; 2Sa. 22:16; Est. 2:18; Is 58:6; 61:1; Je 34:8, 15, 17; Lam 3:48; Ezek. 46:17; 47:3; Da 12:7; Joel 1:20; 3:18. Exodus 18:2 Moses' father-in-law, took Moses' wife Zipporah, after he had sent her away (Lxx = aphesis) (Here aphesis is used with its literal meaning). Deuteronomy 15:1 At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission (LXX = aphesis) of debts. (Comment: Aphesis is used here in the Septuagint to describe the releasing of a prisoner or remitting of a debt, as indicated by Jehovah's instructions to Israel.) Leviticus 16:26 "The one who released (Heb = shalach = to send away; Lxx uses two words to translate the one Hebrew word = the verb exapostello = send away + aphesis = let go = " he that sends forth the goat that has been set apart to be let go") the goat as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body with water; then afterward he shall come into the camp. (Comment: All men are born captives of sin and Satan and in need of release. The truth alone can release and set men free. The Messiah, our eternal "Scapegoat" (cf the OT teaching on the scapegoat on the day of atonement described in Lev 16:1-34) carried away our sin debt forever, having paid the price in full [Jn 19:30]! Are you still captive to sin? Come to the fountain of blood that flows from Immanuel's veins and be set free so that you might be free indeed.) Related resources: List of links related to forgiveness/unforgiveness Multiple illustrations and quotes related to forgiveness/unforgiveness Exposition of "Forgiveness" in Ephesians 4:32 Exposition of "Forgiveness" in Colossians 3:13 Exposition of "Forgiveness" in Matthew 6:12 and Matthew 6:14-15 Sermon on Forgiveness - Acts 13:38-39 In fifteen occurrences aphesis expresses forgiveness (often "remission" in KJV) of sins and is rendered "free" and "release" in its other two occurrences (in Luke 4:18). The preaching of the early church always linked forgiveness with Jesus. He alone is able "to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." (Acts 5:31). The death and resurrection of Jesus put the promises of the OT prophets in perspective, for "all the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name" (Acts 10:43). Aphiemi means to send away or carry away and brings to mind the ritual on the Jewish Day of Atonement when the high priest sent the scapegoat into the wilderness (Lev 16). The high priest would first kill one of the two goats and sprinkle its blood before God on the mercy seat. Then he would confess Israel's sins over the live goat, and would have this goat taken into the wilderness to be lost. Christ died to carry away our sins so they might never again be seen. (Ps 103:12; Mic 7:18, 19). David had personally experienced the depth of God's forgiveness and wrote "How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven (verb cognate = aphiemi), whose sin is covered!" (Ps 32:1) John the Baptist recognized the Lamb Who was to be the "scapegoat" crying out as "he saw Jesus coming to him... "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away (a different verb airo) the sin of the world!" (Jn 1:29) No written accusation stands against us because our sins have been taken away! (Col 2:13-14) Sin made us poor, but grace makes us rich. Forgiveness pictures the act of freeing and liberating one from something that confines. ILLUSTRATION - When missionaries in northern Alaska were translating the Bible into the language of the Eskimos, they discovered there was no word in that language for forgiveness. After much patient listening, however, they discovered a word that means, "?not being able to think about it anymore.?" That word was used throughout the translation to represent forgiveness, because God's promise to repentant sinners is, "?I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more?" (?Jer. 31:34?). Aphesis was used in secular Greek as a legal term that meant to repay or cancel a debt or to grant a pardon. Through the shedding of His blood, Jesus Christ actually took the sins of the world upon His own head, as it were, and carried them an infinite distance away from where they could never return. That is the extent of the forgiveness of our trespasses in the New Covenant. Every time we celebrate the Lord's supper we should recall Jesus' words "this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness (aphesis) of sins." (Mt 26:28) Peter reminds us of the litmus test that "Of (Messiah) all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness (aphesis) of sins" (Acts 10:43) Regarding aphesis W E Vine adds that it "primarily denotes a dismissal or release....Eleven times it is followed by "of sins," once by "of trespasses." Both this and the corresponding verb aphiemi, to send away, signify, firstly, the remission of the punishment due to sins and the deliverance of the sinner from the penalty divinely, and therefore righteously, imposed; secondly, the complete removal of the cause of offense or the ground of the vicarious and propitiatory sacrifice of Christ. Here the forgiveness defines the redemption." Easton's Bible Dictionary gives a n ice synopsis on forgiveness of sins describing it as "one of the constituent parts of justification (being declared righteous). In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it. All sins are forgiven freely (Acts 5:31; Acts 13:38; 1Jn 1:6, 7, 8, 9). The sinner is by this act of grace for ever freed from the guilt and penalty of his sins. This is the peculiar prerogative of God (Ps 130:4; Mark 2:5). It is offered to all in the gospel." MY REDEEMER by Phillip Bliss Play I will sing of my Redeemer, And His wondrous love to me; On the cruel cross He suffered, From the curse to set me free (refrain) I will tell the wondrous story, How my lost estate to save, In His boundless love and mercy, He the ransom freely gave. (refrain) I will praise my dear Redeemer, His triumphant power I'll tell, How the victory He giveth Over sin, and death, and hell. (refrain) I will sing of my Redeemer, And His heav'nly love to me; He from death to life hath brought me, Son of God with Him to be. (refrain) Refrain Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer, With His blood, He purchased me. On the cross, He sealed my pardon, Paid the debt, and made me free.. God forgave us of our sins when we were saved, but now Christ consistently becomes the means of our being forgiven every day of our life. If you want to find a person who will praise God? Find someone who has understands God has forgiven him and who understands that He has freed him to be what GOD wants him to be. When you start living in the victory that God has for you, that is when you become very thankful to God all that He's done for us. Forgiveness is not an excuse for sin, but to the contrary should be an encouragement for obedience. And, because we have been forgiven, we can forgive others (Col 3:13-note). The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant makes it clear that an unforgiving spirit always leads to bondage (Mt 18:21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35). ><>><>><> FORGIVENESS - One day when Stan Mooneyham was walking along a trail in East Africa with some friends, he became aware of a delightful odor that filled the air. He looked up in the trees and around at the bushes in an effort to discover where it was coming from. Then his friends told him to look down at the small blue flower growing along the path. Each time they crushed the tiny blossoms under their feet, more of its sweet perfume was released into the air. Then his friends said, "We call it the forgiveness flower." This forgiveness flower does not wait until we ask forgiveness for crushing it. It does not release its fragrance in measured doses or hold us to a reciprocal arrangement. It does not ask for an apology; it merely lives up to its name and forgives-freely, fully, richly. What a touching example of outrageous forgiveness! ><>><>><> Henry Ward Beecher (1813-87), famous Congregational clergyman, said: " 'I can forgive, but I can't forget,' is just another way of saying, 'I will not forgive.' " In other words, genuine forgiveness entails forgetting. According to Alice Cary (1820-71), a hymn-writer: "Nothing in this lost world bears the impress of the Son of God so surely as forgiveness." C. S. Lewis (1898-1963) had an interesting viewpoint reminding us that "Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea," he said, "until they have something to forgive." Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) said: "Never build your preaching of forgiveness on the fact that God is our Father and He will forgive because He loves us. . . . It is shallow nonsense to say that God forgives us because He is love. The only ground on which God can forgive me is through the Cross of my Lord." Billy Graham put it even more directly: "If His conditions are met, God is bound by His Word to forgive any man or woman of any sin because of Christ. Someone has expressed forgiveness this way "We are most like beasts when we kill. We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive." Erwin Lutzer wrote that...Forgiveness is always free. But that doesn't mean that confession is always easy. Sometimes it is hard. Incredibly hard. It is painful (sometimes literally) to admit our sins and entrust ourselves to God's care. D L Moody wrote...The voice of sin is loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder. William Cowper expresses the spirit of forgiveness...Alas! if my best Friend, who laid down his life for me, were to remember all the instances in which I have neglected him, and to plead them against me in judgment, where should I hide my guilty head in the day of recompense? I will pray, therefore, for blessings on my friends, even though they cease to be so, and upon my enemies, though they continue such. Puritan Thomas Adams said that...Sins are remitted, as if they had never been committed. John Bunyan added that...No child of God sins to that degree as to make himself incapable of forgiveness. Christians aren't perfect-just forgiven. William Cowper wrote the following in Olney Hymns... Sin enslaved my many years, And led me bound and blind; Till at length a thousand fears Came swarming o?'er my mind. "?Where,?" said I, in deep distress, "?Will these sinful pleasures end? How shall I secure my peace, And make the Lord my friend??" Friends and ministers said much The gospel to enforce; But my blindness still was such, I chose a legal course: Much I fasted, watch?'d and strove, Scarce would shew my face abroad, Fear?'d almost to speak or move, A stranger still to God. Thus afraid to trust His grace, Long time did I rebel; Till despairing of my case, Down at His feet I fell: Then my stubborn heart He broke, And subdued me to His sway; By a simple word He spoke, "?Thy sins are done away.?" ><> ><> ><> Today in the Word - Japanese Symphony - For 32 years, the NHK Symphony, considered by many to be Japan?'s best orchestra, and Seiji Ozawa, by far its most renowned conductor, played not a single note together. The feud took place so long ago that Ozawa himself doesn't recall all the details. What he remembers is the humiliation of showing up at a concert hall for a scheduled performance, baton in hand, to find no musicians and no audience. Because of a dispute between Ozawa and the NHK Symphony, the orchestra decided to boycott Ozawa?'s concert without telling him. On a Monday night last winter, Ozawa let bygones be bygones and led the NHK Symphony in a charity concert for disabled musicians in Sutory Hall in Tokyo. Forgiveness is difficult, but it results in beautiful music. ><> ><> ><> According to Greek mythology, King Augeus owned a stable with 3,000 oxen. Their stalls had not been cleaned out for 30 years-hence our English word Augean, which refers to something exceedingly filthy from long neglect. Hercules, the mythical strong man, was commanded to clean the Augean stable in a single day. When Hercules first saw the stable, he was dismayed by its size, filthiness, and stench. Then he noticed that it was located between two great rivers, the Alpheus and the Peneus. He put his great strength to work and diverted the rivers so they flowed through the building. Within a short time the stable was rinsed clean. The story is a myth, of course, but myths by their very nature preserve the yearnings of the cultures that embrace and perpetuate them. The story reflects, I believe, our own longing for someone to wash from our lives the accumulated waste and filth of the years. There is a powerful river of forgiveness that flows from the cross of Christ. No defilement, even though Augean, can withstand its cleansing flow. When we humbly confess our sins, all of our unrighteousness is washed away (1John 1:9). We can be sure that our "sins, which are many, are forgiven" (Luke 7:47).- David H. Roper (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Lord, give me courage to confess, To bare my sinful heart to Thee; Forgiving love You long to show And from my sin to set me free. -D. De Haan Confession to God always brings cleansing from God. ><> ><> ><> J C Philpot - February 12 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." -Colossians 1:14 Of all spiritual blessings made known to the soul by the power of God "a knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins" is the hardest to be obtained, and most prized when acquired. How many poor tried, exercised, distressed souls are at this very moment sighing and crying for the manifestation of this one blessing. These well know, and some of them by the painful experience of many years' hard bondage and travail, how hard it is to get forgiveness sealed on their heart. Not that it is really hard on the part of God now to forgive, that is, in experimental manifestation; for it is already done to and for all the elect of God--"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses" (Colossians 2:13); and again, "In whom we have" (not "shall have," but "have," that is, now have) "redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins." Though he may not be able to lay hold of it for himself, appropriate it as a personal blessing, and feel sweetly and blessedly assured, in his own heart and conscience, of the forgiveness of all his sins; yet every quickened soul is really forgiven all his trespasses, past, present, and to come. It is one of the spiritual blessings with which he has been blessed, already blessed, in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. ><> ><> ><> Our Daily Bread - BEGINNING AGAIN - It was New Year's Day 1929. The University of California at Berkeley was playing Georgia Tech in college football's Rose Bowl. Roy Riegels, a California defender, recovered a Georgia Tech fumble, then turned and scampered 65 yards in the wrong direction! One of Riegels' own teammates tackled him just before he reached the wrong goal line. On the next play, Georgia Tech scored and went on to win. From that day on, Riegels was saddled with the nickname "Wrong-way Riegels." For years afterward, whenever he was introduced, people would exclaim, "I know who you are! You're the guy who ran the wrong way in the Rose Bowl!" Our failures may not be as conspicuous, but we've all gone the wrong way, and we have memories that haunt us. Recollections of sin and failure rise up to taunt us at 3:00 in the morning. If only we could forget! If only we could begin again! We can. When we confess our sins and repent before God, He forgives our past and puts it away. In Christ, "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins"-all our sins (Colossians 1:14-note; Col 2:13-note). It's never too late to begin again. -David H. Roper (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) THINKING IT OVER What past sins are you carrying today? To learn more about the forgiveness that only God can offer, read The Forgiveness Of God. God's forgiveness is the door to a new beginning. ><> ><> ><> Our Daily Bread - A Unique Offer - Several years ago a group of Christian missionaries met in Delhi, India, with representatives of other religions to discuss their beliefs. In the course of their talks, a member of a major non-Christian religion said to a missionary, "Tell me one thing your religion can offer the Indians that mine can't." The missionary thought for a moment and replied, "Forgiveness! Forgiveness!" Unlike the followers of all other world religions, those who put their hope in Christ have full assurance that their sins are forgiven. British Bible teacher and lecturer David Pawson says, "I have talked to the most devout Muslims who pray five times a day, have journeyed to Mecca, have fasted during Ramadan, and are more devout than many Christians. But when I ask, 'Do you know if your sins are forgiven?' they've said, 'We don't. We just have to hope for the best.'" In Colossians 1, Paul gave us the basis on which forgiveness rests--the redemption Christ secured through His death on the cross. But Christ is not merely the founder of a major religion. He is the "image of the invisible God" by whom all things were created (Col 1:15,16). The forgiveness He offers, therefore, is an offer from God Himself. - D J DeHaan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Have you accepted the gift of forgiveness? (see note Romans 6:23). What family member, neighbor, or co-worker needs to hear from you about God's offer of forgiveness? The search for forgiveness ends when you find Christ ><> ><> ><> Having trusted Christ as our Savior, we should never cease to glory in His sacrifice for us on the cross. The reality of being identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection should fill us with gratitude in the morning, give us refuge throughout the day, and be a pillow at night upon which to rest. A small detachment of British troops, surprised by an overwhelming enemy force, fell back under heavy fire. Their wounded lay in a perilous position, facing certain death. They all realized they had to come immediately under the protection of a Red Cross flag if they wanted to survive. All they had was a piece of white cloth, but no red paint. So they used the blood from their wounds to make a large cross on that white cloth. Their attackers respected that grim flag as it was held aloft, and the British wounded were brought to safety (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Great Boer War). Our enemy not only must respect the blood of Christ shed on Calvary's cross, he also is helpless against it. Christ's blood represents the sacrifice of One whose death removed the guilt and condemnation of our sin and broke its hold over us. It is absolute protection against the accusation of Satan, the defeating remembrances of past sins, and the downpull of our Adamic nature. No wonder we glory in the cross.-D. J. De Haan. (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Calvary stands for Satan's fall. ><>><>><> Octavius Winslow Devotional - NOVEMBER 19. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:14 The blood of Jesus is the life of our pardon and acceptance: "Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God-that is, the transgressions of the Old Testament saints; the life-giving blood of Jesus extending its pardoning efficacy back to the remotest period of time, and to the greatest sinner upon earth; even to him "by whom sin entered into the world, and death by sin-such is the vitality of the atoning blood of God's dear Son. And if the pardoning blood thus bore an antecedent virtue, has it less a present one? No! listen to the life-inspiring words! "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according the riches of His grace." Once more, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. It has a present life, an immediate efficacy. The life of our pardon! Yes! the believing though trembling penitent sees all his sins cancelled, all his transgressions pardoned, through the precious blood of Jesus. Nothing but the life-blood of the incarnate God could possibly effect it. And when, after repeated backslidings, he returns again, with sincere and holy contrition, and bathes in it afresh, lo! the sense of pardon is renewed; and while he goes away to loathe himself, and abhor his sin, he yet can rejoice that the living blood of the Redeemer has put it entirely and forever away. And what is the life of our acceptance but the blood of Immanuel? "Justified by His blood!" The robe that covers us is the righteousness of Him who is "the Lord our Righteousness;" who, when He had, had, by one act of perfect obedience to the law, woven the robe of our justification, bathed it in His own lifeblood, and folded it around His church, presenting her to His Father a "glorious church, not having spot, or any such thing." Not only is it the ground of our present acceptance, but the saints in heaven, "the spirits of just men made perfect," take their stand upon it. "Who are these," it is asked, "which are arrayed in white robes? and where came they?" The answer is, "These are they who came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God." Thus now, pleading the justifying blood of Jesus, the believing though distressed and trembling soul may stand before God, "accepted in the Beloved." Wondrous declaration! Blessed state! Rest not, reader, until you have attained it. No, you cannot rest, until you have received by faith the righteousness of Christ. From where, too, flows the life of spiritual joy, but from the life-giving blood of Immanuel? There can be no real joy, but in the experience of pardoned sin. The joy of the unpardoned soul is the joy of the condemned on his way to death-a mockery and a delusion. With all his sins upon him, with all his iniquities yet unforgiven, every step brings him nearer to the horrors of the second death; what, then, can he know of true joy? But when the blood of Jesus is sprinkled upon the heart, and the sense of sin forgiven is sealed upon the conscience, then there is joy indeed, "joy unspeakable, and full of glory." From where, also, flows peace-sweet, holy, divine peace-but from the heart's blood of the Prince of Peace? There can be no true peace from God, where there does not exist perfect reconciliation with God. That is a false peace which springs not from a view of God pacified in Christ, God one with us in the atonement of His Son, "speaking peace by Jesus Christ." "The blood of sprinkling speaks better things than that of Abel," because it speaks peace. "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/colossians_114-16.htm#Forgiveness