The Forgiveness Of God
Adam and Eve. The first humans to sin also became the first to experience God's forgiveness (Gen. 3).
Aaron. Although he was involved in making a golden calf, Aaron later was appointed head of the priesthood (Ex. 32; Lev. 8).
Aaron and Miriam. When they opposed Moses' God-given authority, Miriam was stricken with leprosy. But they confessed and were forgiven and cleansed (Num. 12).
Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar. Although these men falsely accused Job and misrepresented God, they found forgiveness (Job 42).
Rahab. This Jericho prostitute turned to the Lord of Israel and became part of Jesus' family tree (Josh. 2; Mt. 1:5).
David. Although he was guilty of adultery and murder, David repented and confessed his sin. He was spoken of as a man after God's own heart (2 Sam. 11-12; Ps. 51).
A paralytic. To demonstrate His authority, Christ forgave and healed this disabled man (Mt. 9:28).
Matthew. This tax collector with a bad reputation became Christ's disciple (Mt. 9:9-13).
A repentant criminal. When he cried out to Jesus on the cross, this thief was welcomed into Paradise (Lk. 23:40-43).
Peter. Although he denied Christ three times, Peter became a pillar in the church (Mk. 14:66-72; Jn. 21:15-19).
A woman caught in adultery. Her accusers backed away and Christ forgave her sins (Jn. 8:1-11).
Zaccheus. This greedy tax collector climbed a tree to see Jesus and came down to receive forgiveness (Lk. 19:1-10).
Nicodemus. Officially part of the group of ruling Pharisees who provoked Christ's strongest condemnations, Nicodemus recognized Jesus as Savior and Messiah (Jn. 3:1-21; 19:39).
Paul. Killer of Christians and self-confessed "chief of sinners," Paul is a prime example of the grace of God (Acts 9; 1 Tim. 1:15).
Corinthian believers. Once they were idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, greedy, slanderers, and swindlers, but now they had experienced God's forgiveness (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
The public sinner who washed Jesus' feet with her tears. When a religious Pharisee objected that Jesus would let such a woman even touch Him, Jesus said:
"There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged." . . . Then He [Jesus] said to her [the public sinner], "Your sins are forgiven" (Lk. 7:41-48).
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