Topical Bible: Pardon: Expressed by Removing Transgression

◄ Pardon: Expressed by Removing Transgression ►

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In the biblical context, pardon is a profound expression of God's mercy and grace, characterized by the removal of transgression. This concept is central to the narrative of redemption and reconciliation between God and humanity. The act of pardoning is not merely a legal acquittal but a relational restoration, where the barrier of sin is lifted, allowing for renewed fellowship with God.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding divine pardon. In Exodus 34:6-7, God reveals His nature to Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." Here, forgiveness is intrinsically linked to God's character, emphasizing His willingness to remove the burden of sin from His people.

The sacrificial system, particularly the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), illustrates the concept of pardon through the removal of sin. Leviticus 16 describes how the high priest would lay hands on the scapegoat, confessing the sins of Israel, and send it into the wilderness, symbolically carrying away the transgressions of the nation. This act foreshadows the ultimate removal of sin through Christ.

Prophetic Insights

The prophets further illuminate the theme of pardon. Isaiah 1:18 invites, "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." This imagery of cleansing signifies the complete removal of sin's stain, a divine act of pardon that transforms the sinner.

Micah 7:18-19 celebrates God's unparalleled forgiveness: "Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion. He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." This passage highlights God's delight in mercy and His power to obliterate sin.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of divine pardon through Jesus Christ. In Matthew 26:28, Jesus declares at the Last Supper, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." His sacrificial death is the ultimate act of pardon, removing the transgressions of those who believe.

Pauline theology expounds on this theme, particularly in Colossians 2:13-14: "When you were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross." Here, pardon is depicted as the cancellation of a debt, a legal and relational restoration achieved through the cross.

Practical Implications

The doctrine of pardon has profound implications for Christian living. Believers are called to emulate God's forgiveness in their relationships. Ephesians 4:32 exhorts, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." The removal of transgression by God serves as the model for interpersonal forgiveness, fostering unity and peace within the body of Christ.

Furthermore, the assurance of pardon provides believers with peace and confidence before God. Hebrews 10:17-18 reassures, "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more. And where these have been forgiven, an offering for sin is no longer needed." This assurance liberates believers from guilt and empowers them to live in the freedom of God's grace.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation.
... be converted." Justification properly implies a pardon or forgiveness ... or the sanctifying
process, is expressed as a ... purity or holiness by the removing of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter v the way from.htm

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out ...
... back, casting of them into the sea, removing of sin ... as thy cautioner, conform to
the manner expressed in the ... so long as I find no intimation of pardon, I cannot ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter viii how to make.htm

The Pattern of Service
... that most gentle touch, as if removing material obstacles ... to, despair of the race,
expressed in settled ... by love, its remorse uncalmed by pardon, its affections ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the pattern of service.htm

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the ...
... We see the mode of doing it expressed; the preaching ... face, but also, for the purpose
of removing all superstition ... have no church at all, or pardon delusion in ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 of the true.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... a matter of example for the purpose of removing the public ... works as the means of
procuring pardon, but only ... from us is elegantly and briefly expressed by Hosea ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ.
... we may look upon Christ's death as removing the enmity ... is my life, His atonement
my pardon, His crucifixion ... that God's dealings with mankind are expressed in a ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of jesus christ.htm

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
... so long as it is so, cannot be expressed. ... these impediments; we need justification
and pardon for the ... in changing our state, and removing our unrighteousness ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter iii how christ is.htm

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up ...
... therefore, if there be a prayer for pardon of guilt ... and made ours, is more nor removing
a temporal ... great troubles and afflictions are so expressed, "Thou didst ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii and there is.htm

Who is the Rich Man that Shall be Saved?
... things which seemed to have been expressed simply, and ... property, but, applying the
just and removing the unjust ... One can obtain your pardon from God, another ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/who is the rich man.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... halves, using elliptical expressions with a larger meaning than that actually expressed? ...
foulest and most iniquitous in each species of transgression, that the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm