That's Not Forgiveness: How the Cross Recovers Forgiveness in a World that Fails to Forgive

Abstract

Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood concepts in our world today. Sinful people are adept at twisting forgiveness to be self-serving vehicles to fulfill their own sinful desires or to justify their sinful desires. Scripture is about forgiveness, and it has much to say about Christian forgiveness. Scripture tells the Christian that he must forgive. This paper explores why the Christian forgives, how the Christian can forgive, and what his forgiveness looks like in a secular world that both hates and lacks true forgiveness. This paper serves as a practical guide for Christians as they fix their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of their faith, and as they love others by forgiving.