Part 2 - Considering “Forgiveness” Today:

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called Forgiveness Under Law vs Grace.

The frustrating experience I experienced and referenced in Part 1 of this series concerned hearing a so-called Christian preacher teach “the law’s” basis of ‘forgiveness’ as if it applies to the members of “the church, which is His body” today. This prompted me to write this paper. This man’s erroneous mistaken idea concerning “forgiveness” is a great example of the many differences between that which applies to Israel under the “lawas opposed to that of forgivenessand many other differences for believers today who are under Paul’s “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).

Having the foregoing information, we’ve established the proper hermeneutic (method of Bible interpretation), whereby we should of always note first to whom a Bible writer is addressing his words. This approach is the very first key to “rightly dividing the word of God.”

 2 Tim. 2:15 (KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, ‘Rightly Dividing’ the word of truth.

Let’s now specifically consider the subject of Biblical “forgiveness” while applying this cardinal principle for proper Bible interpretation. Again, we will consider to whom the words are written and who the words concern, while thereby unquestionably and simultaneously excluding those parties to whom the words are NOT written. Thus we will be rightly dividing the Bible as intended in considering the basis of ‘forgiveness’ for Israel “under The Law.”

By example, we can now consider the oft cited verse below as we look into ‘forgiveness’ in the Old Testament… under the “Law” that God gave to Israel, not the Gentiles, through Moses.

2 Chron. 7:14 IF my people (Israel), which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will FORGIVE their sin, and will heal their land (of Israel).

This is an often-quoted verse used by sincere Christian preachers wishing to see our decaying country restored to moral and spiritual greatness. Indeed there may be some wise counsel here for believers of all ages, but not entirely. The aspects of Spirit led humility, prayer, seeking God’s face and turning from sin should turn the heart of believers in all ages – yet we must admit that such a turn has never really done what men seek for our nation… the USA. So let’s consider why this might be and why the prayers that are based upon this verse are not answered.

We must take a closer look at this verse applying the proper hermeneutic. First, this promise is extended to and concerns only those who God calls “my people (Israel).”  This then refers to Israel while under the Mosaic moral and ceremonial laws – this then is not directed to the Church, which is His body,” under ‘grace.’

We must note the words “their land,” which indicates this verse refers to Israel in the Mideast, This then not referring to the church today in your town in the USA. Any map clearly shows us where Israel is – it is not in North America. Again, we must be careful to not misapply Scripture and ascribe to ourselves today that which applies to Israel of old, alone.

Yet today, preachers still take 2 Chronicles 7:14 and apply it believers today in the USA. They apparently believe God is so careless and inaccurate in the wording His Spirit inspired to be written on the pages of the Bible that He would refer to Israel in “their Land” as if it should be universally applied to everyone on earth?

Now note the matter of conditional “forgiveness” as seen in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Note the conditionality implied by the words IF my people ... then will I…” “IF… then” is characteristic of the conditionality of blessing under “the law,” which brings us all the way back to the laws of blessing and cursing upon Israel as seen in Exodus and Deuteronomy.

“Now therefore, IF ye (Israel) will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:” (Exodus 19:5)

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2  And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Deuteronomy 28:15 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

This Old Testament Law system of conditional blessing is stated throughout the Old Testament books from Exodus to Malachi. So, “IFIsrael obeyed the covenant (the law) God would bless them. If they disobeyed God would curse them (Deut 28, above). Clearly, the key requirement rested with Israel’s performance or effort under “the Law.”

Thankfully our salvation and blessing today has nothing to do with a performance based system. This is not how God deals with believers during todays “dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph 3:2). Paul, as our Apostle of grace (cf. Rom 11:13), says we who are under the grace gospel, have already been “blessed with ALL spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ (Eph 1:3), including total forgiveness of all our sins.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the Forgiveness Of Sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7 (KJV).

This ‘forgiveness’ includes the forgiveness of ‘ALL’ our sins – our past, present, and future sins. So we see that our relationship with God during today’s age of grace is quite a different relationship than that of Israel “the law.”

Paul wrote, 

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2 Timothy 3:16).

So, with regard to the Old Testament Scripture we have much to learn, but we must always recognize the difference between interpretation and application. Since all Scripture is given by inspiration of God all is profitable for our learning, there are truths in such verses that speak to us today of God’s nature and character. Yet, we must always be careful to consider them in the light of our knowledge of the “revelation of the mystery (secret)given us through the Apostle Paul for “the body of Christ”  - always rightly dividing the word of truth.” So then, since we as believers today are “under grace,” any verse ascribed to Israel that expresses conditional blessing and cursing… does not belong to us today.

The fact is that we today are unconditionally saved and already blessed based upon the free gift of God’s grace through our faith in Christ alone.

Adding to such forgiveness, note this from Paul. Under Paul's pure grace the Lord no longer notes or takes account of our incidental falls to sinning, while we are learning truth and learning to walk by faith… in the indwelling “Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” as our life.

“Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his Faith Is Counted For Righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God Imputeth Righteousness Without Works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:4-7