God Will Forgive You, Now Don’t Worry Be Happy

Yes, God will forgive you of sin when you meet certain conditions. Review this Bible study to get the details.

God Will Forgive You

Introduction

Please enjoy this seven-part mini-series: God will forgive you!

Can you believe that God will forgive you for the wrongful things you did and are doing? Fortunately, the answer is YES—God will forgive you—He is a God of forgiveness. If you have not done so, please review “God forgives you” before continuing with this powerful Bible study. One way to define the word forgive is to reduce, decrease and eventually eliminate a negative feeling towards another.

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? 22 But Jesus, aware of their thoughts, answered and said to them, Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, Your sins are forgiven; or to say, Rise up and walk?
24 But that you may know that the Son of man has power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said to the paralytic,) I say to you, Arise, and take up your mat, and go to your house. Luke 5:21-24 (RKJNT) [read Luke 5:17-26; compare Matthew 9:2-8; Mark 2:1-12]

aphiemi – forgive

The Pharisees and Jesus use the Greek word aphiemi (af-ee’-ay-mee; G863) in various forms: forgive, ‘are forgiven‘ (Luke 5:23 KJV uses “be forgiven”), ‘to forgive‘ and ‘is forgiven‘. Take your time with this Bible study. Especially get to know the meaning and proper use of aphiemi as it applies to forgiveness.

NOTE: The examples used here do not present the conditions that accompany God’s forgiveness to mankind, so please do not stop—continue this lesson to gain a better understanding of how God will forgive you.

Sins forgiven

And he turned to the woman, and said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I entered your house: you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss: but since I came in this woman has not ceased to kiss my feet.

46 You did not anoint my head with oil: but this woman has anointed my feet with perfume. 47 Therefore I say to you, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but he who is forgiven little, loves little. 48 And he said to her, Your sins are forgiven. Luke 7:44-48 (RKJNT) [read Luke 7:36-50]

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You Must Repent

God will forgive you when you repent

When people stop sinning and are sorry for the sins that they have committed; this is called repenting. All of us should desire to change our hearts and lives; turn to God. Once you have done so, live your life in the way God’s word and Spirit direct. This new life will prove that your heart has changed. [refer to Acts 26:17-20 and 2 Corinthians 7:9-11]

I will deliver you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance along with those who are sanctified by faith in me.

19 Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: 20 But declared first to those of Damascus, then at Jerusalem, and throughout all the regions of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and perform deeds worthy of repentance. Acts 26:17-20 (RKJNT)

“Deeds worthy of repentance” what does it mean? Take a look at this link for a few versions of Acts 26:20 that may help. I am working on a few studies to help us understand what it means to repent.

2 Corinthians 7:9-11

Luke 24:44-49 (key verse: 47); Matthew 3:2-12 (key verse: 2) and 9:9-13 (key verse: 13). Acts 2:14-39 (key verse: 38), 5:22-32 (key verse: 31) and 17:22-34 (key verses: 30-31)

♥ Question for ‘God will forgive you part-1’: Do you realize that Jesus died so you can receive God’s forgiveness?

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God will forgive you

The Lord wants you to hear His message. I apologize to anyone that has been hurt or offended by God’s people. We are not (should not be) judging people when we present God’s word. As a representative of Christ, I ask that you consider your life as it is.

Are you at least a little curious about God and what it is like to be His child? Each person that says they are a Christian at some point in their life had to realize they were not living a life that is pleasing to God. In order to receive forgiveness, all must repent—with Godly sorrow remembering that God knows our hearts (Psalms 44:21).

Acts 8:20-23

But Peter said to him, Your silver perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 You have no part or portion in this matter: for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Therefore, repent of this wickedness, and pray to God, that perhaps the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I perceive that you are full of bitterness, and in the bondage of iniquity. (RKJNT)

NOTE: repent in verse 22 is from the Greek μετανοέω metanoeo (met-an-o-eh’-o) v. 1. to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction).

♦ Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) – To be sorry for sin as morally evil, and to seek forgiveness; to cease to love and practice sin.

♣ One definition from ‘Theological Dictionary of the New Testament’ “if the change of mind derives from recognition that the earlier view was foolish, improper or misdirected, there arises the sense “to regret,” “to feel remorse,” “to rue.””

♥ Jesus said in Matthew 3:8 “Let your life, then, prove your repentance;” (OEB)

A partial list

Romans 1:18-31 gives a list of a few sinful things which God will forgive you for, including but not limited to:

Are you guilty of any of the above? If you want to change the way you live—if you are deeply sorry for the wrong you have done, God will forgive you just ask.

God Judges Fairly

If you judge someone else, you have no excuse for it. When you judge another person, you are judging yourself. You do the same things you blame others for doing. 2 We know that when God judges those who do evil things, he judges fairly. 3 Though you are only a human being, you judge others. But you yourself do the same things. So how do you think you will escape when God judges you? 4 Do you disrespect God’s great kindness and favor? Do you disrespect God when he is patient with you? Don’t you realize that God’s kindness is meant to turn you away from your sins? Romans 2:1-4 (NIRV) [read Romans 1:18-2:16]

Psalm 130:1-4 (key verse: 4); Exodus 34:1-9 (key verses: 5-7); 1 Kings 8:22-53 (key verse: 47); Psalms 86:1-5 (key verse: 5); Acts 8:14-25; Romans 8:1-11 (key verse: 1); Ephesians 1:3-14 (key verse: 7)

♥ Question for ‘God will forgive you part-2’: Will you give God a chance to prove He will forgive you?

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Forgiveness through water baptism

God does not have favorites; He accepts all who are willing to allow Him into their life. Anyone who believes in Jesus and is baptized receives forgiveness of sins. Jesus came to pay the price for the sins of mankind i.e., for our sins. [(reference Mark 16:14-18 (key verse: 16); Romans 2:1-16 (key verse: 11) and 3:25-29 (key verse: 29)]

Acts 2:36-39

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” (WEB) [read Acts 2:14-39]

Water baptism is more than a public display…

Some if not many teach and believe that water baptism is a public display of your acceptance of Jesus as your personal savior. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reminds us that we Christians were guilty of sinful acts before water baptism—”but you have been washed“; supported by Hebrews 10:22 “…our bodies washed with pure water.” and 2 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) “…cleansed from his old sins” [read 1 Corinthians 6:1-11; Hebrews 10:19-25; 2 Peter 2:4-11].

Acts 22:12-16

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good reputation among all the Jews who lived there, 13 Came to me, and stood, and said to me, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And that very hour I could see him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will, and to see the Just One, and to hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For you shall be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you delay? arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name. (RKJNT) [read Acts 22:1-21]

Colossians 1:9-23 (key verses: 13-14 and 20-23); Psalms 32:1-11 (key verses: 1-2); Matthew 20:20-28 (key verse: 28); Acts 10:34-48 (key verse: 43); 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 (key verse: 19)

♥ Question for ‘God will forgive you part-3’: Will you accept the sacrifice that Jesus made for you?

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Confess

The phrase ‘we confess’ in 1 John 1:9 is from the Greek word homologeo (hom-ol-og-eh’-o) meaning to confess, i.e. to admit or declare one’s self guilty of what one is accused of. The act of confession of sin is to freely admit or acknowledge that we have sinned, then our faithful (trustworthy), just and righteous God will forgive.

‘God is light, and darkness has no place at all in him.’ {John 1:6-13 (8-9); John 8:12; John 9:5; John 12:35-36} 6 If we say that we have communion with him, and yet continue to live in the darkness, we lie, and are not living the truth. 7 But, if our lives are lived in the light, as God himself is in the light, we have communion with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. {Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 1:5}

Do not fool  yourself

8 If we say that there is no sin in us, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth has no place in us. {1 Kings 8:46; 2 Chronicles 6:36; Job 9:2; Psalms 143:2; Proverbs 20:9; Ecclesiastes 7:20} 9 If we confess our sins, God may be trusted, in his righteousness, to forgive us our sins and purify us from all wickedness. {Psalms 32:5; Proverbs 28:13} 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we are making God a liar, and his message has no place in us. 1 John 1:5b-10 (OEB)

The phrase ‘and confessed’ in Acts 19:18 and ‘confess’ in James 5:16 come from the Greek word exomologeo (ex-om-ol-og-eh’-o) also meaning to confess. According to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary all sin is against God, however, confession of sin falls into three categories:

From Vine’s Dictionary

1. Sin against the Church as a whole – “When the whole church has been affected, the whole church should hear the confession.”
2. Also sin against another person – “When one other person has been harmed, we should confess to that person.”
3. Private sin – “when the sin is a “private” one, we may well keep the confession between ourselves and God.”

Open confession

Many of the believers began to confess openly and tell all the evil things they had done. 19 Some of them who had used magic brought their magic books and burned them before everyone. Those books were worth about fifty thousand silver coins. Acts 19:18-19 (NCV)

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:15-16 (NIV)

1 John 1:5-10 (key verse: 9); Psalms 32:1-11 (key verse: 5) and 51:1-13 (key verses: 2-5); Daniel 9:3-19 (key verses: 4-6); Mark 1:1-8 (key verse: 5); Acts 19:11-20 (key verse: 18); James 5:13-18

♥ Question for ‘God will forgive you part-4’: Have you confessed your sins?

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Through Jesus

Jesus made God’s forgiveness of sins possible, if not for the death on the cross forgiveness is impossible. Christ didn’t enter the holy place made by human hands, but into heaven itself, so that he now appears in God’s presence for us. Christ did not have to offer himself many times. He wasn’t like a high priest who goes into the most holy place each year to offer the blood of an animal. But He made one eternal sacrifice; the shedding of His blood to satisfy the need of a blood sacrifice to bring forgiveness of sin.

The sacrifice of Christ

The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a cow were sprinkled on those who were no longer pure enough to enter the place of worship. The blood and ashes made them pure again—but only their bodies. 14 So surely the blood sacrifice of Christ can do much more. Christ offered himself through the eternal Spirit as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will make us completely clean from the evil we have done. It will give us clear consciences so that we can worship the living God. Hebrews 9:13-14 (ERV)

Listen, you people who make fun of or do not believe in God! Be careful; do not let what the prophets said happen to you: ‘You can wonder and be amazed, but then go away and die; I will do something, during your time that you will not believe, even if someone explains it to you!’ {Reference Acts 13:40-41 and Habakkuk 1:5} Consider this: ‘If it is hard for a person who is right with God to be saved, what will happen to the one who is against God and full of sin?’ {Reference 1 Peter 4:18}

Bloodshed was required

Indeed, under the law almost all things are cleansed with blood; and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22 (RKJNT)

But Christ came only once and for all time. He came at just the right time to take away all sin by sacrificing himself. Hebrews 9:26b (ICB) [read Hebrews 9:16-28]

Acts 13:36-41 (key verses: 38-39); Micah 7:14-20 (key verses: 18-19); Zechariah 13:1-6 (key verse: 1); John 1:29-34 (key verse: 29); Ephesians 4:22-32 (key verse: 32); Hebrews 8:3-13 (key verses: 12-13);), 9:11-15; 1 John 2:1-6 (key verses: 1-2)

♥ Question for ‘God will forgive you part-5’: Wouldn’t you like to be right with God?

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Not Guilty

When you work, you earn the payment that you get. We cannot do any type of work to earn the grace-gift of God’s favor or forgiveness. It is by faith, in the sacrifice of Jesus that we become right with God (justified), i.e., our sins are forgiven because Jesus paid the price to redeem us. In Romans 4:8 Paul quotes Psalms 32:1-2 and I recommend that you read Romans 4:1-5:11 and 10:3-9, Galatians 2:15-16 and Psalms 51.

Sins pardoned

But people cannot do any work that will make them right with God. So they must trust in him, who makes even evil people right in his sight. Then God accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him. 6 David said the same thing. He said that people are truly blessed when God, without paying attention to their deeds, makes people right with himself. 7 “Blessed are they whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. 8 Blessed is the person whom the Lord does not consider guilty.” Romans 4:5-8 (NCV)

The day will come when God will judge every person bringing eternal punishment for the unforgiven sinner (Matthew 25:31-46; Jude 1:12-15 and 2 Peter 3:1-13) and eternal life for the righteous. A day when everyone will get what they deserve according to the way they lived this life. For those whom God judges ‘guilty’—”he who puts in the seed of the flesh will of the flesh get the reward of death“. For those whom God judges ‘not guilty’—”he who puts in the seed of the Spirit will of the Spirit get the reward of eternal life“.

The acquittal

But now God has shown us a different way to heaven—not by “being good enough” and trying to keep his laws, but by a new way (though not new, really, for the Scriptures told about it long ago). Now God says he will accept and acquit us—declare us “not guilty”—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.

23 Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious ideal; 24 yet now God declares us “not guilty” of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins. Romans 3:21-24 (TLB)

Romans 4:4-8 (key verse: 7); Psalms 51:8-9 and 85:2; Isaiah 40:1-2; Jeremiah 33:4-9 (key verses: 8-9); Matthew 9:1-8 (key verse: 2); Acts 3:17-26 (key verse: 19); Titus 3:1-11 (key verses: 4-7); Romans 2:1-16; Hebrews 12:18-24

♥ Question for ‘God will forgive you part-6’: “Not guilty”, is that God’s verdict for you?

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Forgiveness Applied

He said to them, “It is written that the Christ [Messiah] would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day ⁴⁷ and that a change of hearts and lives and [repentance for the] forgiveness of sins would be preached in his name to all nations, starting at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ You are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:46-48 (EXB)

When is God’s ‘forgiveness of sins’ applied?

1. Is it applied when you repent or confess?
2. By believing or having faith in God and the death of Jesus?
3. Or when you are water baptized?

Baptized into Christ Jesus

All of us were baptized into Christ Jesus. Don’t you know that we were baptized into his death? 4 By being baptized, we were buried with Christ into his death. Christ has been raised from the dead by the Father’s glory. And like Christ we also can live a new life.

5 By being baptized, we have been joined with him in a death like his. So we will certainly also be joined with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that what we used to be was nailed to the cross with him. That happened so our bodies that were ruled by sin would lose their power. So we are no longer slaves of sin. 7 That’s because those who have died have been set free from sin.

Dead to sin

8 We died with Christ. So we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ was raised from the dead and will never die again. Death doesn’t control him anymore. 10 When he died, he died once and for all time. He did this to break the power of sin. Now that he lives, he lives in the power of God.

11 In the same way, consider yourselves to be dead as far as sin is concerned. Now you believe in Christ Jesus. So consider yourselves to be alive as far as God is concerned. Romans 6:3-11 (NIRV)

The answer

Hopefully, by reviewing all of the scriptures provided in this series (parts 1-7), you already have the answer. Were you expecting the answer? Have you taken the time to read the scriptures included with each post (parts 1-7)? Oh my, you did know that this was a bible study series, right?

Examples of believers being water baptized: Acts 8:4-16 (key verses: 12 and 13), 8:26-40 (key verses: 36-38), 9:10-19 (key verse: 18), 16:11-15 (key verse: 15), 16:25-34 (key verses: 30-33), 18:1-17 (key verse: 8), 18:24-19:10 (key verses: 19:1-5)

Acts 2:14-42 (key verses: 37-38 and 41), 10:44-48 (key verses: 47-48) and 22:1-21 (key verse: 16); Matthew 28:18-20 (key verse: 19); Mark 1:4 and 16:16; John 4:1-4 (key verse: 1); Romans 6:1-14; 1 Corinthians 10:1-6; Galatians 3:26-29 (key verse: 27); Colossians 2:12

♥ Question for ‘God will forgive you part-7’: Did you study the scriptures provided in this series?

Conclusion

Wonderful, I am so glad you made it, and I am so proud of you for sticking with us. Do you believe God will forgive those who repent? It does not matter what you have done, He knows what is in your heart and understands your desire to live for Him. Be blessed—♥ Tim

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:

‘God Forgives You, To Be Forgiven, You Must Forgive’ – an estimated 13-minute read.

Help the Needy; Show People the Love of God – an estimated 5-minute read.

Christian Life; A Life in Christ Full of Love – an estimated 32-minute read.

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.