GOVERNMENTAL FORGIVENESS

From: Present Truth for Christians By: Henry Edward Hayhoe

• 2 min. read • grade level: 8

Governmental forgiveness means the forgiveness that God exercises over us as His children. It has to do with this life.

When the believer sins, he loses his communion as a child with the Father, but not his relationship as a child of God.

The subject of 1 John 1 is communion; therefore the Apostle says: "If we confess our sins [note, not ask for forgiveness], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

This is governmental forgiveness and is also referred to in Matt. 6:14,15,¹⁴For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: ¹⁵But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14‑15) and chapter 18:35. The Lord's prayer has also this thought when it says, "Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us." Luke 11:4⁴And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (Luke 11:4) See also James 5:15¹⁵And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15).)

The "sin unto death." referred to in 1 John 5:16,17,¹⁶If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. ¹⁷All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. (1 John 5:16‑17) is that of a believer N.. he has so dishonored the Lord through sin, that he is removed in the government of God, though not lost.

1 Cor. 11:30³⁰For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:30) is another passage that refers to the government of God. Some were sickly and some slept (were taken in death) because they "broke bread" and walked carelessly with unjudged evil in their lives.

May we walk carefully-prayerfully, with exercised hearts to please God who has done great things for us!

O LAMB of God, still keep us

Close to Thy pierced side;

'Tis only there in safety

And peace we can abide;

With foes and snares around us,

And lusts and fears within,

The grace that sought and found us,

Alone can keep us clean.

'Tis only in Thee hiding

We feel ourselves secure;

Only in Thee abiding