The Power to Forgive Sins

As the day of Pentecost approaches our minds are naturally drawn to the public and dramatic coming of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts.

2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 1

But that is not the only way in which we may receive the Holy Spirit. In the scripture for Pentecost Sunday the writer of the book of John tells us that when Jesus appeared to the disciples in the locked room after His resurrection, He greeted the disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit.

“Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven then; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 2

When we read this passage, we naturally think of the person whose sins were forgiven and the impact of forgiveness on them. Consider this. When we forgive the sins of someone, we are also releasing to God the power that sin has over us to cause continued grief and build resentment. In forgiving, we become free to enjoy abundant life.

In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive a member of the church who sins against him. Jesus answered, “Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy-seven times.” Anyone who has been on the receiving end of sin can tell you that it is difficult to forgive. Know that the Holy Spirit gives us the capability to dispense grace and forgive those who sin against us as many times as needed. Know that forgiving someone for their sins is not the same as trusting them. Trust is earned through the experience of trustworthy behavior. Forgiveness, on the other hand, is something that can be graciously and freely given. Forgiveness does not need to be earned; it does need to be generously dispensed. This Pentecost, let us all receive the Holy Spirit and allow it to motivate us to freely dispense the grace of forgiveness without counting the number of times that we do.

To God be the Glory!

Pastor Frank Hancock

Email: pastor@plumcreekpc.com

Office: (412) 793-4525

Cell Phone: (412) 860-3719 – Please feel free to leave a message.

1 The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Ac 2:1–4.

2 The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Jn 20:21–23