The character of Christ as forgiving is a central theme in the New Testament, reflecting the heart of the Gospel message. Jesus Christ exemplifies forgiveness in His teachings, actions, and ultimately, through His sacrificial death on the cross. This aspect of His character is foundational for understanding the nature of God's grace and the call for believers to emulate His example.

Teachings on Forgiveness

Jesus' teachings on forgiveness are profound and revolutionary. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructs His followers to forgive others as a reflection of God's forgiveness towards them. In Matthew 6:14-15 , Jesus states, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours." This teaching underscores the reciprocal nature of forgiveness and its importance in the believer's relationship with God.

In the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35), Jesus illustrates the vastness of God's mercy and the expectation that His followers extend the same mercy to others. When Peter asks how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him, Jesus responds, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times" (Matthew 18:22), emphasizing the boundless nature of forgiveness.

Actions of Forgiveness

Jesus not only taught about forgiveness but also demonstrated it through His actions. One of the most poignant examples is found in the account of the woman caught in adultery. When the Pharisees bring her before Jesus, seeking to trap Him, He responds with compassion and wisdom, saying, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her" (John 8:7). After her accusers leave, Jesus tells the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more" (John 8:11). This encounter highlights Jesus' willingness to forgive and His call for repentance and transformation.

Another significant moment is Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus, the tax collector. Despite Zacchaeus' reputation as a sinner, Jesus chooses to dine with him, leading to Zacchaeus' repentance and restitution (Luke 19:1-10). Jesus declares, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham" (Luke 19:9), demonstrating that forgiveness leads to restoration and inclusion in the community of faith.

The Ultimate Act of Forgiveness

The crucifixion of Jesus Christ is the ultimate demonstration of His forgiving nature. As He hangs on the cross, suffering for the sins of humanity, Jesus prays for His executioners, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). This prayer encapsulates the depth of Christ's love and His willingness to forgive even in the face of extreme injustice and suffering.

The Apostle Paul reflects on this sacrificial act in his letters, emphasizing that through Christ's death, believers receive forgiveness of sins. In Ephesians 1:7 , Paul writes, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." This forgiveness is not earned but is a gift of grace, made possible through the atoning work of Christ.

Call to Imitate Christ's Forgiveness

Believers are called to imitate Christ's forgiving nature in their own lives. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Colossians, "Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13). This call to forgiveness is rooted in the believer's identity in Christ and the transformative power of His grace.

The character of Christ as forgiving is a profound testament to the love and mercy of God. It challenges believers to live out this forgiveness in their relationships, reflecting the heart of the Gospel and the transformative power of Christ's love.Luke 23:34
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Christ's Example in Forgiving.
... CHRIST; HIS CHARACTER AND OFFICES. 251. " Christ's Example in Forgiving.
251. LM H. Ballou. Christ's Example in Forgiving. 1 Teach ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/251 christs example in.htm

LMAC Coxe. Divine Beauty of Christ's Character.
... III. JESUS CHRIST. 124. LMAC Coxe. Divine Beauty of Christ's Character. ... So
meek, forgiving, godlike, high, So glorious in humility? ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/124 l m a c.htm

The Epistle to the Colossians Time the Criterion of Truth and ...
... it would not even in that case be entitled to the character of apostolic ... Then, if
God "quickens us together with Christ, forgiving us our trespasses," [6086] we ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xix the epistle to the.htm

God's Love for Man
... long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands,
forgiving iniquity and ... Such is the character of Christ as revealed in His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 1 gods love for.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... difference to God, and that even in forgiving God treats ... Christ's death, we may
paraphrase his meaning, is an ... He does justice to His character as a gracious God ...
/.../denney/the atonement and the modern mind/chapter iii christ and man.htm

Christ and Man in the Atonement
... difference to God, and that even in forgiving God treats ... Christ's death, we may
paraphrase his meaning, is an ... He does justice to His character as a gracious God ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/chapter 9 christ and man.htm

Forgiveness Made Easy
... not only in its precepts, but in the character of the ... by pointing to God who for
Christ's sake has ... What nobler motive can you require for forgiving one another ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/forgiveness made easy.htm

Soul-Healing First: Body-Healing Second
... no hypothesis that I know of which can save His character for the ... Wherever Christ's
forgiving power really comes into a heart, life is beautified, is purified ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture b/soul-healing first body-healing second.htm

Christianity a Light.
... be a "Forbearing one another, and propitiation through faith in his forgiving one
another ... his nature or life is the same as the life or character of Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter i christianity a light.htm

Frances Power Cobbe.
... was the Father of all,"of the just as of the unjust,"the forgiving Parent of ... in the
interests of such Theism that the views of Christ's character should be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/frances power cobbe.htm

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Christ consciousness? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21)? | GotQuestions.org

Christ: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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