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From sin to freedom by grace

15 01 2025

Author: Simon Heiniger

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The fight against sin, the struggle for grace, and the willingness to forgive are part and parcel of Christian life. The Chief Apostle used his sermon in Accra in Ghana for some important clarifications and impulses.

Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider shed light on the subject of forgiveness during his visit to the central church in Accra in Ghana on 24 November 2024. He based his sermon on Matthew 6: 12: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”

Forgiveness: a universal desire

The Chief Apostle began by pointing out that the pursuit of forgiveness is the same worldwide, regardless of culture or origin: “We pray together, ‘Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.’ This is done the same way in the USA, in Germany, in Accra, or in India.”
First, we must recognise that we are sinners and that we need forgiveness of sins. We need grace. This awareness is crucial.

What is sin?

The Chief Apostle made reference to the Catechism: “‌All words, deeds, and deliberate thoughts that are contrary to God’s will and being are sins.” But God’s reaction to sin is not anger, disappointment, or frustration, the Chief Apostle explained, and referred to Adam and Eve. The fact that both had to leave Paradise and were separated from God was not a punishment from God, but the consequence of their actions: “They were no longer doing the will of God. Thus it was impossible for them to stay in a place where everything was according to God’s will.”

Why ask for forgiveness?

For us today this means that the awareness of being a sinner should not lead us to fear punishment from God. “Let’s be honest. Sinners are not punished in this world,” Chief Apostle Schneider said, adding a possible thought: “Oh cool. Then I don’t need mercy. It’s all right. God will not punish me.”
Our motivation to ask for mercy should not be fear of punishment, but our own choice in life to want to do the will of God, as well as the realisation that we cannot do this in on our own. “So why do we ask for grace and the forgiveness of our sins? The answer is found at the beginning of the Lord’s Prayer: ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’” For perfect fellowship with God we need grace and forgiveness, Chief Apostle Schneider said.

Forgive and forget?

Although it is possible to forgive the person who wronged us, we often realise that it is pretty much impossible to forget what they did to us. The Chief Apostle said that God does not expect bad experiences to be erased from our memory.

Forgiveness is something else, the Chief Apostle explained: “Forgiveness is when you remember what happened—what the person has done or said—but when you feel peace in your heart when you think about it; when you no longer harbour thoughts of revenge, anger, or hatred. That is forgiveness!”

And to receive forgiveness we do not have to offer up a sacrifice as in Old Testament times or pay a certain amount of money. All that God requires is that we make the effort to forgive our neighbour: “This shows that we are serious and really want forgiveness.”

The liberating power of forgiveness

As long as you have not been able to forgive, the person who has wronged you still has power over your soul, the Chief Apostle said. “Because of this person you have no peace or joy. He or she has power over you. Your heart is full of anger, full of hate.”

Even if you continue to suffer the consequences of wrongful conduct, forgiveness is like telling the perpetrator: “I will not allow you to steal my joy or peace.” The Chief Apostle went on to explain that “when you forgive your neighbour, you take away the power he or she used to have over your soul and life.”

Unity through prayer

The struggle for forgiveness is also an element of unity: “You know we pray: forgive us our debts. So that means forgive me, but also forgive him … and her … and her and him.” So this is not only about being healed ourselves, but we are praying for the healing of all.

Nevertheless, one thing is clear: society cannot function without laws. Those who do wrong can be forgiven, but they must still face the consequences of their actions. Here the Chief Apostle made reference to the criminal who was crucified together with Jesus. Although Christ had granted him forgiveness and grace, the man still had to be punished because he had done something wrong and had been sentenced by society.

It takes time to forgive

In all His teachings, Jesus made it very clear: “You cannot receive forgiveness from God if you do not forgive your neighbour.” However, there is often not a quick-fix, Chief Apostle Schneider said. ‌People can do such terrible things that it often surpasses all imagination.

But even if it seems impossible to forgive someone: God does not look at the result of our efforts, but at the sincere willingness to forgive: “It will take time, but He will help you and you will make it.” And for one reason only: “Not just because we want to be exempted from punishment, but because we want to be one with God. We want to have fellowship with God.”

Photo: Ebenezer Adjei

15 01 2025

Author: Simon Heiniger

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