A Repentant and Forgiving "Attitude"

Q: Repentance and Forgiveness....Any difference?

A: Yes, there is a difference. Repentance is going from unbelief in Jesus Christ to belief in Him. It is a one time act that occurs at the moment of salvation. Forgiveness is not expecting a debt owed to you to be paid. When Jesus died on the cross all the sins of mankind were forgiven for eternity.

In nearly every instance we read about repentance in the New Covenant it is in regards to salvation. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news (Mark 1:15)!" ""So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life (Acts 11:18)." "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Ptr 3:9)." These are just a few of the verses talking about repentance in terms of salvation. While there is nothing wrong with repenting of a particular sin, doing so is not true repentance. You may acknowledge your sin was wrong and determine to never do it again, but what happens if you do? In one instance the guilt, fear and frustration is upon you again? Did you really repent? Was I really sorrowful when I repented? Am I a Christian? All these enter your mind to one degree or another. Keep in mind that God is not counting your sins against you (2 Cor 5:19) or remembering them any longer (Heb 10:17-18). Focusing on repenting of sins only keeps you focused on your flesh and your sins. You will never clean your flesh up nor does God expect you to. Besides, your flesh isn't going to heaven with you anyway (1 Cor 15:50) and you'll get a new body (2 Cor 5:1). Your sins will diminish in your life as a direct result of knowing your identity in Christ and resting in all God has given you. You will engage the world with what He has given you rather than what you expect from it through sin.

As far as forgiveness goes this is not expecting someone who has sinned against you to pay a debt they cannot afford to pay. The Bible tells us that "the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23)" and we don't have a life to give that would satisfy God as payment for our sins. That is why God, knowing we didn't have what it took to pay for the debt of sin, paid it Himself in Christ. He set us free from our sins so He could have a relationship with us. If He did not do this there is no way we could ever approach Him because our sins would always separate us from Him. But, as I stated earlier, our sins are no longer an issue between us and God. "Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him (Rom 4:8)." "Love... keeps no record of wrongs (1 Cor 13:5)." When you realize that in Christ we have forgiveness of sins, even before we commit them, what does that produce in you, but an attitude of thankfulness. Therefore, when others sin against you you share with them the forgiveness you have received from God. "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph 4:32)." "Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Col 3:13)." God doesn't expect "payment" for our sins. Therefore, we shouldn't expect "payment" from those who sin against us. It is the only way we are free to have a relationship with that person, if we choose to have one, and be set free from the bondage their sin has us in. It is all about attitude. Change your attitude about Jesus, repentance. Change your attitude sin, forgiveness. Be blessed.