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Christian Response to Divine Forgiveness and Mercy

The Christian response to divine forgiveness and mercy is rooted in the understanding that God's nature is characterized by these attributes, and that humanity's experience of them should lead to a reciprocal response of confession, repentance, and the extension of forgiveness to others [1, 8]. The prophet Daniel declares, "To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him" [1]. This statement highlights both God's inherent character and humanity's need for these divine provisions due to sin [1].

Mercy, in a biblical context, is defined as compassion for the miserable, with its object being misery itself [2]. The atoning sacrifice of Christ is presented as the means by which God's mercy can be extended to humanity in a way that aligns with divine truth and righteousness [2]. This is seen in passages like Psalm 85:10, where "Mercy and truth meet together" [2]. Beyond being a divine attribute, mercy is also considered a Christian grace that believers are called to embody [2].

Forgiveness of sin is understood as a core component of justification [3]. It is described as God's judicial act of pardoning the sins of those who believe in Christ, thereby absolving them from the condemnation of the law [3]. This pardon is granted on account of Christ's work, removing the guilt of sin and the sinner's liability to eternal wrath [3]. All sins are forgiven freely through this act of grace, freeing the sinner from guilt and penalty [3]. The prerogative to forgive sin belongs uniquely to God, as indicated in Psalm 130:4 and Mark 2:5, and this forgiveness is offered to all through the gospel [3].

The concept of reconciliation is closely related to forgiveness and mercy. Reconciliation signifies a change from enmity to friendship [4]. This change is understood to be mutual, affecting both parties who were previously at odds [4]. In Colossians 1:21-22, reconciliation refers to a transformation in the sinner's personal character, where they cease to be an enemy of God and instead offer full confidence and love [4]. Similarly, 2 Corinthians 5:20 exhorts believers to "be reconciled to God," implying a laying aside of their enmity [4]. Romans 5:10, however, points to a change in God himself as the party reconciled, suggesting a divine initiative in restoring the relationship [4].

The Christian response to receiving divine forgiveness and mercy involves several key elements:

Confession and Repentance: A fundamental response to God's mercy and forgiveness is the confession of sin. God requires confession, as seen in Leviticus 5:5 and Hosea 5:15 [6]. Such confession is regarded by God, as illustrated in Job 33:27-28 and Daniel 9:20-23 [6]. Exhortations to confess are found throughout scripture, including Joshua 7:19, Jeremiah 3:13, and James 5:16 [6]. Promises are attached to confession, such as in Leviticus 26:40-42 and Proverbs 28:13 [6]. Confession should be accompanied by submission to punishment, prayer for forgiveness, self-abasement, godly sorrow, forsaking sin, and restitution where appropriate [6]. It should be full and unreserved, leading to pardon [6]. John Gill, commenting on Daniel 9:9, emphasizes that God's mercy is the "spring and original of pardon," which is freely given and abundant, laying a foundation for hope in "sensible sinners" [8].

Faith in Christ: Justification, which includes the pardon of sin, is received through faith in Christ [3, 10]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Philippians 3:9, explains that justification is "received by faith through the atonement made by Christ," and refers to it as "God's method of justifying sinners through faith in his Son" [10]. This faith is not in one's own righteousness or works, but solely in Christ's atoning work [10]. The immolation of Jesus Christ as the covenant sacrifice provides for the pardon of iniquity, and those who believe with penitent hearts receive remission of sins [9].

Transformation and Obedience: The experience of divine forgiveness and mercy is intended to lead to a transformed life. God's healing of "desperate sinfulness" is offered "freely—with a gratuitous, unmerited, and abundant love" [12]. This gratuitous love is meant to inspire a new way of living. The covenant of grace includes God's promise to "be merciful to their unrighteousness," meaning God's forgiveness of sin [13]. This forgiveness is rooted in God's mercy and is made possible through the propitiatory sacrifice [13]. The result is that God remembers their iniquities no more against them, so as to punish them [9].

Extending Forgiveness to Others: A crucial aspect of the Christian response is the extension of forgiveness to fellow believers and even to enemies [7, 5]. Forgiving others is presented as a natural and good response to having experienced God's forgiving grace in Christ [7]. This principle is echoed in Colossians 3:12-13 and 1 John 4:19 [7]. Jesus himself set an example of forgiving injuries, even from the cross (Luke 23:34), and commanded his followers to do the same (Mark 11:25) [5]. This forgiveness is to be unlimited, as taught in Matthew 18:22 and Luke 17:4 [5].

Motives for forgiving others include God's mercy (Luke 6:36), our own need for forgiveness (Mark 11:25), God's forgiveness of us (Ephesians 4:32), and Christ's forgiveness of us (Colossians 3:13) [5]. Forgiveness should be accompanied by forbearance, kindness, blessing, and prayer [5]. There are promises for those who forgive (Matthew 6:14, Luke 6:37) and warnings that without it, one will not receive forgiveness (Matthew 6:15, James 2:13) [5]. Adam Clarke emphasizes that mercy should incline believers not to condemn others unmercifully, but to "lessen, conceal, and excuse their faults as much as we can without prejudice to truth and justice" [11].

Sources

  1. Daniel “To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him; -- Daniel 9:9”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mercy — Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness (Gen. 19:19; Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 85:10; 86:15, 16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matt. 5:7; 18:33-35).”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Forgiveness of sin — One of the constituent parts of justification. 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; 13:38; 1 John 1:6-9). 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. (See [219]JUSTIFICATION.)”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Forgiveness of Injuries — Christ set an example of -- Lu 23:34. Commanded -- Mr 11:25; Ro 12:19. To be unlimited -- Mt 18:22; Lu 17:4. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 7:4. Motives to The mercy of God. -- Lu 6:36. Our need of forgiveness. -- Mr 11:25. God's forgiveness of us. -- Eph 4:32. Christ's forgiveness of us. -- Col 3:13. A glory to saints -- Pr 19:11. Should be accompanied by Forbearance. -- Col 3:13. Kindness. -- Ge 45:5-11; Ro 12:20. Blessing and prayer. -- Mt 5:44. Promises to -- Mt 6:14; Lu 6:37. No forgiveness without -- Mt 6:15; Jas 2:13. Illustrated --”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confession of Sin — God requires -- Le 5:5; Ho 5:15. God regards -- Job 33:27,28; Da 9:20-23. Exhortation to -- Jos 7:19; Jer 3:13; Jas 5:16. Promises to -- Le 26:40-42; Pr 28:13. Should be accompanied with Submission to punishment. -- Le 26:41; Ne 9:33; Ezr 9:13. Prayer for forgiveness. -- 2Sa 24:10; Ps 25:11; 51:1; Jer 14:7-9,20. Self-abasement. -- Isa 64:5,6; Jer 3:25. Godly sorrow. -- Ps 38:18; La 1:20. Forsaking sin. -- Pr 28:13. Restitution. -- Nu 5:6,7. Should be full and unreserved -- Ps 32:5; 51:3; 106:6. Followed by pardon -- Ps 32:5; 1Jo 1:9. Illustrated -”
  7. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:32: 4:32 Forgiving fellow believers is a natural and good response to experiencing God’s forgiving grace in Christ (cp. Col 3:12-13; 1 Jn 4:19).”
  8. Daniel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Daniel 9:9: To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses,.... Mercy is his nature, and what he delights in; it is abundant, and he is plenteous in it the fountain of mercy is with him, and numerous are the streams which flow from it, called "the multitude of his tender mercies"; all temporal favours spring from hence, and so do all spiritual blessings, the sure mercies of David; and particularly the forgiveness of sin, which is the Lord's prerogative, and is according to the tender mercies of our God, and the riches of his grace; and is of all sins, and of all sorts of sin”
  9. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 8:12: I will be merciful to their unrighteousness - In order to be their God, as mentioned under the preceding verse, it is requisite that their iniquity should be pardoned; this is provided for by the immolation of Jesus Christ as the covenant sacrifice. By his blood, redemption has been purchased, and all who with penitent hearts believe on the Lord Jesus receive remission of sins, and God remembers their iniquities no more against them so as to punish them on that account. All spiritual evil against the nature and law of God is represented here under the following ter”
  10. Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 3:9: And be found in him - Be found a believer in Christ, not having mine own righteousness - not trusting in any thing I have done or could do, in order to my salvation; relying on no scheme of justification, set up either formerly by myself or by others. But that which is through the faith of Christ - That justification which is received by faith through the atonement made by Christ. The righteousness which is of God - God's method of justifying sinners through faith in his Son. See the notes on Rom 3:21, Rom 3:23 (note), Rom 3:25 (note), where this subject is trea”
  11. Luke (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Luke 6:37: Judge not - See on Mat 7:1 (note). "How great is the goodness of God, in being so willing to put our judgment into our own hands as to engage himself not to enter into judgment with us, provided we do not usurp the right which belongs solely to him in reference to others!" Condemn not - "Mercy will ever incline us not to condemn those unmercifully whose faults are certain and visible; to lessen, conceal, and excuse them as much as we can without prejudice to truth and justice; and to be far from aggravating, divulging, or even desiring them to be punished." Forgive - ”
  12. Hosea (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hosea 14:4: God's gracious reply to their self-condemning prayer. backsliding--apostasy: not merely occasional backslidings. God can heal the most desperate sinfulness [CALVIN]. freely--with a gratuitous, unmerited, and abundant love (Eze 16:60-63). So as to the spiritual Israel (Joh 15:16; Rom 3:24; Rom 5:8; Jo1 4:10).”
  13. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 8:12: For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,.... That is, sin; for all unrighteousness is sin, being contrary to the justice of God, and his righteous law: and the phrase is expressive of God's forgiveness of it, which is a very considerable article of the covenant of grace; mercy is the spring and original of pardon; it is what God delights in, and therefore he pardons freely; it is large and abundant, and hence he pardons fully; and this lays a foundation for hope in sensible sinners: and the way and means, in and by which God pardons, is the propitiatory sacri”
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