Who Can Forgive Sins, But God Only. Part [2] 09/03/2025 (Evening thought)

1st Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. 3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

A Biblical example of the forgiveness Jesus enjoins upon us was manifested when king Saul pursued David like a wild beast in the caves and mountains yet David decided not to mete out justice when he had the opportunity to do so. David’s men in some of these instances drooled for revenge, but David held firm, and would try to get even. David went even further, for after the death of Saul, he mourned for the king, and he took care of Saul’s family who survived.

Thus, the following passages show that David forgave Saul his trespasses, but as far as the sins of Saul goes, they remain unto this day, for he never sought for God for forgiveness. So yes, David took the high road, by not rendering evil for evil, and by not harboring bad feelings, and hatred against Saul, but those actions do absolutely nothing to remove any of Saul’s sins from the books of heaven, for only God can forgive sins.

1st Samuel 24:4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. 5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

1st Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

Who Can Forgive Sins, But God Only. Part [1] 09/02/2025 (Morning thought)

Mark 2: 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

There are certain prerogatives which belong to God alone, and one of them is the authority to forgive sins. Even though Christians are instructed to forgive other persons their trespasses, we cannot absolve a person of guilt, where wrongs were committed. We are encouraged not to pursue a course of action that is vengeful in nature, and we are to forgive our fellowmen in the sense that we would not hold sins against ourselves against them, but as far as pardon and absolving goes, that is God’s territory alone.

The reason why this authority belongs solely to God is because we never shed blood for the remission of any sins. Thus, according to the Bible, pardoning sin and the authority to forgive, will legally require the shedding of blood, and no one else but Christ has ever done this….. Hebrews 9: 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Thus, the Christian can let things slide when wrongs are committed against his or her person, and we can and should pursue reconciliation whenever we can, but we of ourselves can never forgive sin. That is the territory, and the prerogative of God alone. Thus, when Jesus instructs us to forgive one another He is referring to not pursuing justice, where justice is due, but rather seeking to foster reconciliation by not holding grudges or resentment against persons.

Mark 2:6 But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, 7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!