Attributes of Allah – The Forgiving
In this sermon, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the divine attribute of forgiveness, emphasizing that God is forgiving by nature, forgiving out of mercy and compassion. His forgiveness is complete, total, and erases sin entirely as if it never existed, but it is conditional upon sincere repentance.
💫 Attributes of Divine Forgiveness:
-
Forgiveness from mercy and love: God forgives out of His compassion, not weakness, and His forgiveness flows from His goodness.
-
Complete forgiveness: He does not forgive partially but wipes out sin entirely so that it is no longer remembered, as written: “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud” (Isaiah 44:22).
-
Conditional on repentance: Forgiveness is not granted to one who persists in sin without repentance, for repentance is the only path to forgiveness.
-
Forgiveness that washes and whitens: Through the precious blood, man is cleansed from sin and becomes whiter than snow.
-
Forgiveness that forgets sins: God no longer remembers the sins of the repentant nor counts them against them, but covers them with love and mercy.
🕊 Repentance as the Foundation of Forgiveness:
His Holiness stressed that God does not ask: “Why did you sin?” but “Why did you not repent?” for God is ready to forgive all the past in exchange for sincere repentance. True repentance changes the heart and transforms the sinner into a new person, as happened with Saints Augustine, Moses the Black, and the right-hand thief.
💖 Conditions of Forgiveness:
-
True repentance and confession of sin.
-
Faith in the blood of Christ that erases sins.
-
Forgiving others, for those who do not forgive will not be forgiven.
-
Avoid judging others, for judgment brings judgment.
-
Restoring the harm caused by sin as much as possible.
-
Love for God, for “she loved much, so much was forgiven to her.”
🌺 Spiritual Meaning:
Forgiveness in the Coptic Orthodox faith is not mere pardon but renewal of the soul and sanctification of the heart. God not only removes sin but gives a new heart and pure spirit, allowing man to live in peace and communion with Him. Forgiveness is the door of hope and return to the loving arms of the Heavenly Father.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
