Topical Bible: Pardon is Granted: Readily

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the concept of pardon is deeply intertwined with the themes of forgiveness, mercy, and grace. The readiness with which pardon is granted is a reflection of God's character and His desire for reconciliation with humanity. Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as being eager to forgive those who repent and turn to Him, demonstrating His boundless love and compassion.

Divine Readiness to Forgive

The Bible consistently emphasizes God's willingness to forgive sins. In the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah conveys God's readiness to pardon, saying, "Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:7). This passage highlights the condition of repentance and the assurance of God's mercy.

Similarly, the psalmist declares, "For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You" (Psalm 86:5). This verse underscores the accessibility of God's forgiveness to those who seek Him, emphasizing His readiness to extend pardon.

New Testament Affirmation

In the New Testament, the theme of God's readiness to forgive is further affirmed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus' parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates the Father's eagerness to forgive and restore a repentant sinner. The father's immediate and joyful acceptance of his returning son symbolizes God's readiness to pardon those who come back to Him.

The Apostle John also speaks to this readiness, writing, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). This assurance of forgiveness upon confession highlights the immediacy and certainty of God's pardon.

Human Response to Divine Pardon

The readiness with which God grants pardon serves as a model for human relationships. Believers are called to emulate God's forgiving nature. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His followers to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). This petition links divine forgiveness with human forgiveness, encouraging believers to readily pardon others as they have been pardoned by God.

The Apostle Paul reinforces this teaching, urging the Colossians, "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13). This exhortation reflects the expectation that Christians, having received God's ready pardon, should extend the same grace to others.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as a loving and merciful Father who is eager to forgive and restore those who seek His pardon. This divine readiness to forgive serves as both a comfort to believers and a standard for their own interactions with others. Through repentance and faith, individuals can experience the fullness of God's grace and the joy of reconciliation with Him.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 9:17
And refused to obey, neither were mindful of your wonders that you did among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsook them not.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 86:5
For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy to all them that call on you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of St. Paul, and the Person whom He Urges the Corinthians to ...
... he would have absolved by a special pardon one whom ... yet, (generally), anger is more
readily indirect than ... greatest indulgences not to be granted without public ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on modesty/chapter xiii of st paul and.htm

Miracles Granted to the Prayer of Friends.
... had heard of the cure which Jesus had granted to the ... instant response in action,
would be more readily understood by ... does not give the right to pardon, but its ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/vi miracles granted to the.htm

Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
... the lust and license of the pardon-preachers, let ... suspend the indulgences and pardons
granted heretofore, since ... all these doubts would be readily resolved; nay ...
/.../luther/martin luthers 95 theses/disputation of doctor martin luther.htm

From Parables Tertullian Comes to Consider Definite Acts of the ...
... marriage, but a prostitute"He showed (what He did show readily to any one ... to such
as were already Christians that He (in these several cases) granted pardon. ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xi from parables tertullian comes.htm

Vile Ingratitude!
... the hour when suddenly his pardon was granted and his ... in this clear light, we beseech
thee pardon it, for ... not say to whom I allude; you may readily guess"who ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/vile ingratitude.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... THE DESIRE OF THE RIGHTEOUS GRANTED; OR, A DISCOURSE OF THE RIGHTEOUS MAN'S
DESIRES. ... GEO. OFFOR. THE DESIRE OF THE RIGHTEOUS GRANTED. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

Letter Xli. St. Ambrose in this Letter to his Sister Continues the ...
... 6. Our Lord Jesus Christ judged that men could more readily be bound and ... tears; when
sin is forgiven to the lowliest, guilt is washed away, and pardon granted. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xli st ambrose in.htm

Dr. Martin Luther Concerning Penitence and Indulgences.
... any one, it is certain that it is granted to none ... the Church, given him by God, even
without letters of pardon. ... for him, than that money should be readily paid ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/disputation of dr martin luther.htm

1 Timothy i. 15, 16
... in securing a belief of the gifts that are granted us of ... it were declared that the
king was willing to pardon all, it would not be so readily believed, as ...
/.../homily iv 1 timothy i.htm

Philemon i. 3-Jan
... or even to give away our own, all readily contribute, but ... account of the lovingkindness
of Him that hath granted it ... when he has offended, who will not pardon him ...
/.../homily i philemon i 3-jan.htm