This is the summary conclusion of the series on forgiveness. See the index here.

Let’s do a summary of the series, the talking points if you will.

First, modern Christians focus on repentance and sometimes atonement. But both themes are relatively rare in the New Testament, pertaining mainly to the end of the First (or Old) Covenant. For the Gentile (that’s us!) under the Second (or New) Covenant, faith determines forgiveness.^[1]

Second, repentance is the result of forgiveness due to faith. It is not the cause.^[2]

Third, you must forgive your brother of his sin against you whether or not he truly repents (i.e. changes his ways; ceases to sin). The failure to do so is a double sin: both against your brother and against yourself.^[3]

Fourth, forgiveness through faith is permanent, unconditional, and already completed, except for failing to forgive.^[4]

Fifth, scripture never describes forgiveness that is conditional on repentance. This is an inference people make, but it is not a valid deduction from scripture. There are a number of direct scriptural references to forgiveness without repentance.^[5]

Sixth, the purpose of unconditional forgiveness is to restore the lost.^[6]

Seventh, the failure to forgive is the sin of resentment.^[7]

Eighth, sin creates a sin-debt which requires a blood price (i.e. death and destruction by the offender) to repay. Jesus’ sacrifice was enough to pay the price to acquire our sin-debt. The blood of Christ is the payment for sin.^[8]

Ninth, repentance cannot clear an existing sin-debt. Neither can restitution. The sacrificial system does not provide true—permanent—forgiveness and cannot effectuate reconciliation—or peace—with God.^[9]

Tenth, salvation—forgiveness; eternal life—requires faith in Jesus. It is only by faith—taking the side of Jesus—that our sin-debt can be personally cancelled by Jesus who paid for our certificate of indebtedness. Without faith, the payment for sin by the blood of Christ cannot permanently eliminate our sin, though it can temporarily cover it to give each man a chance to put his faith in Christ.^[10]

Eleventh, Jesus came to proclaim the Jubilee, the permanent cancellation of our sin-debt and our release from slavery to sin.^[11]

Twelfth, we must forgive our brothers and sisters in Christ. We must also forgive our enemies. The right to vengeance is God’s alone. The enactment of justice is reserved for God and God’s agent: the government.^[12]

Footnotes

^[1] See footnote 2 of Part 5, Part 7, Part 11, and Part 12.

^[2] See this comment.

^[3] See Part 1, Part 2, Part 4, and Part 10.

^[4] See part 9.

^[5] See part 8.

^[6] See part 6.

^[7] See this comment.

^[8] See part 5.

^[9] See Part 4.

^[10] See Part 4, Part 5, and Part 12.

^[11] See Part 3.

^[12] See Part 1.