WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT FORGIVENESS OF SINS?

Sin is one act everyone frowns upon. It makes us unclean, unholy, unworthy or unrighteous before both God and man. It is one act that everyone detests. That is why it is very good to abstain from it no matter how hard it may seem.

Sin was the cause of man's exile from the garden of Eden. It is that same act that separated brothers, families, nations etc. Even God Himself turned His back on Human Kinds the very day our forefather and mother sinned in the Garden.

From this very day, sin has been among us since. For we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Although sin is not a good thing, we fall victim to it one way or the other. What then should be done? That is when we consider the type of sin one has committed.

Basically, there are two types of sins highlighted in the Bible. They are;

1.   Sin not unto death
   

2.   Sin unto death.
   

Let take a look at it from the Bible: This can be found in the Book of 1ST John 5:16

“And if any man sees his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.”

So, from the scripture we just read, it's obvious that there are these two types of sins: Sin unto death and Sin not unto death. This is what the Bible says about sin and how it has been categorized.

From the scriptures too, he that does not commit sin unto death has a chance to life once he asks for forgiveness and it has been granted. Those are sins committed unintentionally, or unaware. These sins are bound to happen due to human nature and the sinful nature of this world. There might come temptations from diverse ways.

Some sins we commit without even knowing and others because of the pressure that it comes with. These are all forgivable in the sight of God. It is also good to try and avoid them as much as possible, but once we fall it, we have to seek forgiveness provided it is not a sin unto death. Once it is not predetermined, planned, arranged or deliberate, then there is a high possibility of forgiveness of sin. This is what the scriptures teach us.

In the days of days of the Messiah Jesus. There came a time when Peter asked Jesus, Rabbi, how many times am I to forgive my neighbor who has wronged or sinned against me, seven times?

Jesus answered, I say not unto thee, until seven times but until seventy times seven. That is what Jesus said and that is what it is. It doesn’t mean exactly that figure but it means as often as possible. I don’t think there is anyone on this earth that will offend the brother that much. It is not possible, even if it is deliberate.

There is one time we should also take notice here. The sin we are referring to is just against our neighbors but not against the Holy Spirit, God or Jesus Christ.

Also, it's not encouraging us to sin repeatedly but it shows how weak humans are and how easily we can fall into temptations or sin. This does not mean we should allow ourselves to be easily conformed to sin. We shouldn’t do it without any regret. When one sin willfully with no regrets and even with a perfect knowledge of the atrocity he has committed, then he is to face a punishment for that. Judgement may come upon him or her. This means we have the chance to be forgiven for our sins but it depends on the categories the atrocity committed falls under. Nevertheless, it is always good to forgive a brother regardless of the sin committed against us so our heavenly father may also pardon all the sins we have committed against humanity and Him.