![]() A third of the surviving bettas regenerated an ovary-which, okay, interesting enough. We all know what happens to spayed cats and dogs: They become sterile. ![]() When he’s not writing stories and defending biblical truth, Joel is committed to helping young men find purpose in Christ and become fearless disciples and bold leaders in their homes, in the church, and in the world.In 1975, scientists tried spaying a few hundred female betta fish. Joel Ryan is an author, writing professor, and contributing writer for Salem Web Network and Lifeway. What Is the Relationship Between Salvation and Forgiveness?ĭo Christians Have to Keep Asking for Forgiveness for Their Sins? ![]() It is beyond measure and by far the most magnificent, undeserved gift of grace we could ever receive. We develop a heart of gratitude and a willingness to forgive because we recognize and appreciate just how much Christ has forgiven us.Īnd we know that it is far more than seven, seventy, or seventy times seven. In the same way, when we accept the free gift of salvation and step into God’s complete, total forgiveness, we are freed from the shackles of sin and our hearts are transformed to become more like His. After all, if God is willing to forgive us day after day after day for our sin and repeated offenses, how much more should we be willing to forgive those who’ve wronged us. What God has done for us, we are called to do for others. Jesus would go on to provide this stern warning to those who don’t, saying as the master punished the ungrateful servant for his lack of mercy so “my heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart” ( Matthew 18:35). This was the point of the parable and Jesus’ message on total forgiveness. Therefore, if we have been forgiven such a debt, how much more should we daily be willing to forgive others and release them from the debt of those wrongs they have committed against us. ![]() You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” ( Micah 7:18-19). He will again have compassion on us he will tread our iniquities underfoot. The prophet Micah also put it this way, “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. As prophet Isaiah writes, “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins” ( Isaiah 43:25). To those who confess their sin, repent, and seek forgiveness, God removes all record of their sin against Him. Scripture tells us that “if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” ( 1 John 1:9). Only by God’s grace and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross ( Isaiah 53:5), could this debt, the debt we owe, be paid and expunged. As it is written in the book of Romans, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” ( Romans 3:23). Jesus, of course, was referring to the consequences of sin. Like the servant, we too are hamstrung by an insurmountable debt we cannot hope to repay. When someone hurts us, we often want to hold onto our resentment and sense of indignation, believing we are justified in seeking retribution or vindication. We too are freed from bitterness, anger, and the constant need to seek retribution or demand reparation for their wrongs. Their debt has been erased, the score has been settled, and they are free from any burden of guilt. When someone sins against us, if we’ve forgiven them, we don’t bring back previous sin as an added offense. The point of forgiveness, however, is that we no longer keep a record or tally of those wrongs that we might use against them in the future. Even fellow believers are capable of hurting us in profound ways. Of course, we may never forget the way someone has wronged us. The practice of biblical forgiveness involves not holding someone’s sin against them in a way that the relationship is strained, or enmity is created between individuals.
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